WHITTIER, Calif. — Clarissa Perez scored a game-high 31 points, but the University of La Verne women's basketball fell on the road 85-73 to the Whittier College Poets.

Perez who ranks second in the nation with 24.6 points per game, surpassed the 500 points mark for the season. The junior's season point total currently stands at 517 points.

Perez has scored at least 30 points seven times this season. She also grabbed five rebounds and led the Leopards with four assists and four steals.

Nyjeeiah Ganan also finished in double figures, adding 13 points off the bench for La Verne.

The Leopards found themselves in a hole early trailing 21-11 at the end of the first quarter. But La Verne rallied, outscoring the Poets over the next two periods. 

Ganan got La Verne to within two points, finishing at the hoop to put the score at 61-59 with just under eight minutes to play. But that would be as close as the Leopards would get with Whittier finishing the game on a 24-14 run.

Jessica Hanashiro grabbed a team-high eight boards. Bailey Kurahashi finished with eight points and a pair of threes.

The Poets were led by Monica Hanna's 23 points.

Season Impact: The Leopards move to 5-16 overall and 3-9 in the SCIAC. Whittier improves to 9-13 overall and 6-7 in conference play.

Next Game: The Leopards next travel to Redlands on Wednesday, February 7. Tip-off against the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m.