REDLANDS, CA — Jordan Allen had a big weekend of scoring, Segun Oyeku scored a game-high 18 points against Luther but the University of La Verne men's basketball team couldn't pull out a win on opening weekend.

Southwestern 73, La Verne 54

Allen shot 64 percent from the field and led all players with 18 points in the Leopards' season opener against the Pirates. Allen scored 12 of his points in the second half and also finished with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Isaiah Knox and John Malone II each grabbed six rebounds in the game. Knox added seven points, two steals, and an assist, and Malone II contributed a game-high three steals, one block, and one assist.

The Leopards struggled from the floor in the opening half, shooting just 28.6 percent in the period as the Pirates jumped out to a 48-21 lead after 20 minutes.

La Verne outscored Southwestern 33-25 in the second half but couldn't overcome the early deficit.

Tevin McClain added five points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Brandon Alexander and Joel Martinez led the Pirates with 15 points apiece.

Luther 79, La Verne 72

Oyeku added a game-high eight rebounds to go with his game-high 18 points in La Verne's second game of the weekend. After the Leopards went into halftime down 42-33, La Verne stormed back in the second half led by Oyeku's 14 points in the period.

Oyeku got the Leopards to within a point of Luther's lead when he made a layup just over four minutes into the half. Trevor Andresen put La Verne on top when he drained a three-point to put the Leopards up 49-48 with 13:42 left to play.

But Gage Thompson quickly put Luther back on top when he sunk a three of his own to give the Norse the advantage. Allen tied the game back up with a pair of free throws but the Leopards could not retake the lead.

Allen finished the game with 17 points two rebounds and two assists and was a perfect 7-7 from the line. Oyeku made all eight of his free throw attempts and added two steals.

McClain totaled eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Seth Shaw and Jarid Taylor each scored seven points. 

The Norse were led by Garrian Wade's 16 points and Aaron Blumberg's 15 points.

Next Game

The Leopards take a trip up to Oregon for a pair of games against Northwest Conference opponents next weekend. La Verne opens the trip on Friday, November 22 with an 8 p.m. game against George Fox and follows it up the next day with a 1 p.m. tip-off at Willamette.