LA VERNE, Calif. — Shannon Irwin scored 18 points, Emily Myers nearly had another double-double and the University of La Verne women's basketball team held on the beat Bethesda University of California, 60-53, for its first win of the season on Saturday at Frantz Court.

How it happened: The Leopards did an excellent job of limiting damage from the Flames' twin tower of 6-foot-5 Emillie Muanandibu and 6-foot-3 Lisette Longomo. The duo did combine for 33 points and 24 rebounds, but the Leopards limited Muandibu to just 5-of-14 shooting and dared everyone else to beat them.

The rest of the Flames managed just 20 points total.

After trading a couple of baskets early, La Verne took the lead for good on a Kayla Valentine jump shot five minutes in and never looked back.

The Flames got within a couple points on a few different occasions, but the Leopards managed to hold them back each time. Bethesda started the second half on an 8-2 run to close the gap to 34-31, but the Leopards answered with three consecutive baskets from Irwin, Myers and Ashley Breshears to create a nine-point separation.

Bethesda made one final rally. A Lucille Gleason three-pointer got the Flames within 53-50 with 3:26 left, but Irwin hit a bank shot from a tough angle to give the Leopards some breathing room. Bethesda once again got within two after a three-point possession where Muandibu converted a putback on a missed second free throw.

However, with only 40 seconds left in the game, the Flames had to resort to fouling and Riki Murakami calmly sank five free throws in the last 35 seconds to seal the win for La Verne.

Player of the game: Shannon Irwin finished with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals with zero turnovers. The junior was extremely efficient from the floor, hitting seven of 10 shots.

What it means: After a tough opening weekend, the Leopards post a solid win over a team that beat SCIAC rival Whittier by 40 points and defeated Division II Point Loma by 11 earlier this season.

La Verne improves to 1-2.

From head coach Julie Shaw:

On picking up first win of season: "It feels great, especially doing it at home. What I am most proud of is the effort the team put forth—I know they can do great things as long as they put forth all their effort as a team."

On negating Bethesda's size advantage: "We played a fundamental defense. We (the coaching staff) explained to them that they were definitely more athletic, definitely gifted players and that they had the height advantage. I told our team that nobody on our team would block any of their shots or outrebound them. We kind of took our lumps but we took advantage when they made mistakes down low."

On Shannon Irwin: "She's one of our team leaders and she's learning to be a threat this year. I definitely see her as a threat and we just hope to keep on building her confidence and all her strengths so that she can continue to contribute."

Up next: La Verne will enjoy the Thanksgiving week off before opening SCIAC play at home against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Dec. 3. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.