Boxscore

The University of La Verne mixed a strong defensive effort with solid outside shooting to post a 64-40 triumph over Linfield College in non-conference action Sunday evening at Frantz Athletic Court.

The Leopards never trailed in the contest and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

La Verne's defense proved to be the deciding factor as it limited Linfield to just 14 points in the opening period and held the Wildcats to 28.3% shooting (13-46) for the game.  Defensively, the Leos forced 24 Wildcat turnovers and converted 18 points off of Linfield miscues.

In addition, the Leopards - the Division III leader in three-point field goals per game last year - were efficient from beyond the arc by connecting on 12 treys.

The Leopards opened the game with an 11-2 lead and would eventually go up 18-4 with 7:20 left in the opening stanza.  Linfield would twice cut the deficit to eight points including the final minute on a pair of Tayler Martinez free throws, but Amanda Copas hit a jumper with a second left to provide the Leos with a 24-14 halftime advantage.

After Copas hit a three-pointer at the beginning of the second half, Linfield cut the lead to 10 points on a Kaely Maltman basket and a Taylor Solomon free throw to trail 30-20 at the 15:52 mark.  That would be as close as the Wildcats would get as the Leopards proceeded on a 11-1 run capped by a Riki Murakami three-pointer to push the lead to 20 at 41-21 with 13:26 left to play.

Linfield sliced the lead to 12 at 46-34, but the Leopards regained momentum and went on an 11-2 spurt capped by a pair of Copas treys to push the lead to 57-36 with 4:30 remaining. 

La Verne (1-1) connected on 10 of 17 attempts from three-point range in the second half, including three by Copas, who led the team in scoring with 15 points. Copas also collected a team-high 8 rebounds.  Murakami, who finished 3-6 on three-point attempts, added 11 points while Lindsey Foster totaled 8 points.

Maltman led Linfield (0-2) with 8 points followed by Martinez with 7 points in the defeat.

La Verne resumes action on November 29 when it opens SCIAC competition at Whittier in a 7:30 pm start.