CLAREMONT, CA — Jazzlyn Johnson nearly notched a double-double but a big second and third quarter by Pomona-Pitzer pushed the Sagehens passed the Unversity of La Verne women's basketball team Wednesday night 81-55.

Season Impact

After Wednesday's result, the Leopards move to 9-3 overall and 2-2 in conference action. The Sagehens improve to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in SCIAC play.

Johnson led the Leopards with 12 points and grabbed eight boards to go with two assists and one steal. Destinee Garcia finished with eight rebounds, dished four assists, added three steals, and blocked one shot. Garcia now ranks second in the SCIAC with 35 steals this season.

Jasmine Xiong got the Leopards' offense going halfway into the opening quarter, draining a three from the top of the arc and followed it up with a steal and fastbreak layup to put La Verne up 11-5 early. On the Sagehens' next possession, Garcia came through with one a steal and tossed it off to Xiong for another two points.

The Sagehens caught fire from three-point range in the first quarter knocking down three triples to take a 20-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Pomona-Pitzer kept the pressure up in the second half, taking a 41-27 lead at the break.

The Leopards battled in the third quarter led by four hard-earned points off the bench by freshman Rachel Gafford. But the Sagehens continued to outpace La Verne, outscoring the Leopards 21-14 in the frame to take a 21 point lead into the fourth quarter. 

La Verne had good looks from three-point range throughout the night but had trouble getting them to fall shooting just 13.8 percent in the game. The Sagehens had the opposite luck from distances knocking down 40.7 percent of their three-point attempts. 

Pomona-Pitzer was led by Madison Quan's 17 points, Carley Leong's 17 points, and Amara Chidom's 16 rebounds and 12 points.

Next Game

The Leopards return home on Wednesday, January 15 for a 7 p.m. tip-off against the Occidental College Tigers.