Back to Back Conference Wins 

By Cyanna Rosa

LA VERNE, CA- The University of La Verne men's basketball team faced the Chapman Panthers this afternoon at the Tents. Leopard supporters packed the Tents after witnessing the biggest win of the season against the No. 11 Stags on Wednesday. 

The Leopards and Panthers held matching SCIAC records, and the scoreboard did not differentiate from this in the first. Although the Leopards had some turnover trouble, Leopard Kyler Harvey did not disappoint under the net, with five rebounds in the first half. On the other side of the court, Leopard Jonas Holt had a vital first half, seeming to always be exactly where the ball was both defensively and offensively. 

Both teams faced challenges finding the ball to the net, but it didn't stop the fast-paced Leopards in maintaining contact with one another. The Leopards turned to halftime with a 6-point deficit, 27-33. 

With the challenges faced in the first, the Leopards came in with a different game plan for the second. Learning Chapman's defense took them to the next level to quickly appear on top with a layup by Leopard Brian Adams with thirteen minutes left on the clock, 41-39.  The Leopards never trailed again after that. The Leopards only allowed the Panthers six points and Leopards increased the lead to a 17-point difference with three minutes left in the game, 62-45. 

In an attempt to catch up, the last minutes of the game were slow as the Panthers fouled left and right. Leopards Brian Adams, Brad Yasukochi, Jonas Holt, Kyler Harvey, Casey Knudson, and Saafir Moore all had a chance at the line, sending the score 74-61 strictly off Leopard free throws. 

The final score, 74-62 sends the Leopards with a two game winning streak over to Caltech for their next conference game on Wednesday, January 11th at 7pm PST.