By Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

WHITTIER — The University of La Verne women's basketball team lost to Whittier on the road, 79-71, Saturday, Jan. 15.

Senior guard Jaelynn Curley showed out in her best Leopard performance, scoring 31 points and a 40% shooting clip. She tag-teamed first-year teammate Marissa Howell who scored 20 points to lead the La Verne offense in their 29-point first quarter.

Howell and Curley muscled three successful attempts from downtown apiece in the first, but the team scored only nine more points heading into the half allowing Whittier to tie the game at 38-38.

Whittier created distance in the second half by capitalizing on La Verne turnovers, converting for 24 points. The Leopards were fierce from distance beyond the arc, but the Poets attacked the basket for 46 paint points, maintaining their tie for second place in SCIAC play with the win.

The Leopards hold a 9-5 overall record this season but fall to 2-4 in SCIAC. The Leos travel next to Redlands on Wednesday, Jan. 19 to play their second of three consecutive road contests.