LA VERNE, Calif. — Emily Myers, Faye Osburn and Tiffany Hicks all reached double-digits in scoring to propel the University of La Verne women's basketball team to a 68-62 win over Pomona-Pitzer at Frantz Court on Saturday afternoon.
Myers also grabbed 10 rebounds to register her fifth double-double of the season. In three February games, the junior center is averaging 18 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a block per game.
The Leopards improve 7-5 in SCIAC play (10-11 overall) and sits half a game behind Chapman. Pomona-Pitzer falls to 4-16 overall and 3-8 in SCIAC play.
The Leopards used their depth to overcome a pair of monster performances from Pomona-Pitzer. Basha Brulee-Willis notched 24 points and 14 rebounds while Amelia Hummel piled up 12 points and 17 rebounds. But a short bench only contributed 10 points for the Sagehens and the Leopards had six players score 33 points off the bench.
La Verne went into halftime holding a 35-24 advantage and started the second half on a 12-2 run to build a 19-point lead just five minutes into the second half. Myers was 4-for-5 during this run.
The Sagehens retooled their defense and cut the deficit down to 9 points with a 14-4 run with 6:21 to go. But Hicks stemmed the momentum with a jumper and La Verne kept the Pomona-Pitzer at an arm's length until the Sagehens made it a little interesting at the end.
Kacie Hitomi hit a contested three-pointer from the right wing to bring the Sagehens within 65-59 with and Alaina Woo hit another long-range shot to cut the lead to five with 18 seconds to go. Hicks converted the back end of a double-bonus for La Verne and with another three, the Sagehens could've cut the lead to three with 10 seconds to play.
But Hummel turned it over after an offensive rebound and the Leopards held on for a crucial win.
Hicks and Osburn finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kayla Chism had four points, nine rebounds and three assists.
The Leopards return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts second place Cal Lutheran (14-6, 9-2 SCIAC).
