LA VERNE, Calif. — Connor Head finished in double figures and the University of La Verne men's basketball team went into the locker room down just eight at the half. 

But the Chapman Panthers pulled away in the final eight minutes of the second half to beat the Leopards 67-56 Saturday afternoon at the Sports Science and Athletic Pavilion.

Head finished with 15 points off of 5-6 shooting from the field including 2-2 from beyond the arc. The senior also grabbed three boards.

Brandon Rice totaled with eight points to go with three rebounds. Alec Vucinich added eight points and two rebounds in his first start of the season.

The Leopards got 35 points from their bench. 

The Leopards played fast in the first half and forced to the Panthers into nine turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. A three-pointer by freshman Michael Curley and two from Vucinich helped the Leopards keep pace with Chapman early on in the game.

Rob Nelsen led Chapman with 19 points.

La Verne moves to 0-3 in the SCIAC and 0-11 overall. Chapman improves to 3-1 in conference play and 10-3 overall.

Next Game: The Leopards are back in action after the weekend when they host the Occidental College Tigers on Monday, January 8 at 7 p.m. The Tigers are currently 1-0 in the SCIAC.