By Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

LA VERNE – A short lead at halftime and a brilliant effort from Leopards' guard Alex Blanco were not enough to triumph over the first-place Chapman Panthers, who rallied from behind to beat the ULV men's basketball team in a close game, 78-73.

Blanco scored 19 points off the bench and came through in the clutch with all three of his perfect attempts from downtown in the second half to pace the Leos' individual totals. The Leopards' leading scorer hit each three-pointer in the second half to keep La Verne within a bucket. However, La Verne's final lead of the game diminished just minutes into the second half.

Three La Verne starters managed to score double-digit figures: Brian Adams managed 12, Paul Antonis led the way with 18, and Seth Shaw totaled 16 en route to his season's eighth double-double performance. His ten rebounds led the squad. 

The Leopards remain in contention for the final seed in the SCIAC tournament set to fill out by season's end. With two contests remaining on the schedule, the Leopards will hit the road one last time on Saturday, Feb. 19 when they head to Occidental College with a chance to tie for the tournament's 8th seed.