By Sebastián Abdón Ibarra, Sports Information Intern

The La Verne Leopards cruised to a 90-75 victory against the Antelope Valley Pioneers Friday, November 26th behind a 31-point outburst from senior Jazzlyn Johnson. 

While tying her career-high in points — scoring 31 against Whittier November 20, 2019 — Johnson also added 10 rebounds to make this the first double-double of her collegiate career.

This win came after some tough history against Antelope Valley. Earlier in the season in an exhibition game, the Leos fell 89-68 to the Pioneers, and in 2016 — their last regular season meeting — La Verne lost by 26. 

Only two points separated the teams at the half, only extending by three, 65-60, at the end of the third. In the fourth quarter, however, the Leos exploded for 25 points, even leading by 18 at the midway point of the fourth. 

The Leos opened the final period of the contest with a 14-2 run. During that run, Johnson scored five points, and freshman Marissa Howell added another four. 

For the remainder of the fourth, La Verne's ability to convert at the free throw line inevitably sealed the deal for the Leopards. The Leos got to the line 10 times and were able to make eight of them. 

La Verne had its best game at the free throw line, shooting a season high 74% as a team. As a team that likes to shoot the three, their field goal conversion was over 30% from beyond the arc.

Not to go unnoticed, senior Jaelynn Curley added 21 points on 7-21 shooting and 5-13 from downtown. Curley was also active on the defensive side of the ball collecting three steals.

The Leos forced 26 Pioneer turnovers and converted those lost balls and steals into 28 points.

This win gives La Verne a 2-1 record on the season and the Pioneers fall to 2-6. 

The Leos are back in action Nov. 27 when they take on the Bethesda Flames at The Tents.