WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Eleven different players got on the board for the La Verne men's basketball team but the Leopards lost the hustle points battle in a 106-73 loss to Whitman on Saturday night at George Ball Court.

La Verne falls to 0-2 on the young season while Whitman improves to 1-1.

The Leopards were outrebounded, 51-35, and were outscored, 22-7, in second chance points. Both teams committed a similar amount of turnovers but the Fighting Missionary took better advantage of La Verne miscues, scoring 20 points off turnovers to La Verne's six.

The game started out evenly, but Whitman blew the game open with a 23-5 run in the last six minutes of the first half. The Missionary scored nine points off turnovers and four second chance points during the stretch.

Whitman carried the momentum into the second half and opened the half with a 20-7 run to stretch the lead to 31 points. The Leopards managed to cut the deficit to 23 using a 7-0 run capped off by a Victor Costa layup, but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way.

Anthony White led La Verne's scoring for the second game in a row with 11. Cruz Mertens was right behind with 10 points.

Colton Wirth was effective in his cameo, sinking three three-pointers in just eight minutes.

The Leopards passed the ball well as 13 of 22 made baskets came off assists.

Tim Howell led all players with 23 points for Whitman and the Missionary had three other players in double digits.

The Missionary had 17 steals.

La Verne returns to action next Saturday at home against Willamette. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.