Photo by Ashton Berry

Story Joe Perrino, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

LA VERNE, CA — Everything was clicking for the University La Verne women's basketball team in their 106-59 victory over the SAGU American Indian College Warriors Saturday afternoon, but in just her second collegiate game, it was freshman Marissa Howell who stole the show.

Howell became the second Leo in history to drain 11 three-pointers in a contest. She tied the previous record posted by Bailey Kurahashi in 2018 in a 135-84 La Verne win over Saint Katherine. 

At the half, Howell went into the locker room with only three buckets from beyond the arch. Coming back onto the floor for the third she added another three triples. Then talk began to swirl around the Leopard bench and head coach Jason Pruitt devised a plan — get Howell the ball every possession.

She started to get hot, the threes added up — seven, eight, nine — and before the blink of an eye, she hit her 10th.

Determined to get Howell a final shot, her teammate Aerin Wiggins fouled a Warrior player with 21 seconds remaining. Following their two free throws, it was showtime.

The Leos brought the ball up the court, Howell came around a screen and pulled up a shot. Time stopped, and the stadium awaited as the ball soared through the air at the Sports Science Athletic Pavilion. She missed. 

But, Naomi Jackson raced into the paint, grabbed the board, and slung it to Howell in the corner who got off one more three with two seconds left that swished like butter — a play reminiscent of the infamous James...rebound Bosh...back out to Allen sequence.

Postgame with Marissa Howell on her performance pic.twitter.com/etehuWnKqc

— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) November 14, 2021

Howell ended the game 11-22 from the field, 11-19 from three, and 3-3 from the line with 36 points.

In addition to Howell, Casey Kuramoto scored 14 points and Jazzlyn Johnson and Jaelynn Curley added eight apiece. Alyssa Ono also had an impressive game, and day for that matter, scoring five points and posting seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals, only three hours after diving and swimming for the La Verne swim and dive team.

This win marked the Leos first win of the season and they are now 1-1. 

La Verne plays next on November 26 against the University of Antelope Valley at home at 6 p.m.