By Joe Perrino, Sports Information Assistant

LA VERNE — The Leos won a much needed conference matchup over the Whittier Poets on Saturday, Feb. 12, 62-57, furthering their chances at a postseason run as the regular season comes to a close. 

Points were tough to come by in this one, with both teams scoring under their season's average point totals, but tight second-half defense was the difference maker for the Leos.

Whittier came out of the locker room at the half with a comfortable seven-point lead. However, the Leos came back onto the court and locked up the Poets. La Verne held Whittier to 31% shooting from the field, 0% from three, and ten total points, all while keeping them off the free throw line. Overall in the contest, La Verne held the Poets leading scorer, Teani White, to 2-19 shooting and six points. 

The second half comeback came with an 11-point swing in the third frame, spearheaded by offensive juggernaut Jaelynn Curley, who knocked down two triples in the quarter — accounting for six of her 23 total points in the contest. Jazzlyn Johnson added four of her 11 total points scored in the third quarter. And since good things come in threes, Marissa Howell knocked down her third triple of the game in the third period, just a portion of her ten total points off of the bench.

With the win, the Leopards remain in possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the SCIAC tournament. They now sit at 11-12 overall and 4-10 in SCIAC. Whittier fell to 13-7 and 10-5.

The Leos next game will be on the road at Chapman on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.