CLAREMONT, CA — The University of La Verne women's basketball team returned to SCIAC play with a huge road win, taking down Pomona-Pitzer 55-51.
Chiara Brown dominated, scoring a season-high 23 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. Brown shot 9-9 from the free throw line and grabbed ten boards and four steals for her fourth double-double of the season. Brown is off to an incredible start, averaging 19 points per game and 10 rebounds per game.
Marissa Howell had 12 points in her performance for the Leopards. Howell also added three rebounds and two steals.
"We figured out a way to win today and that's the most important thing. Today we were able to get it done on the defensive end. We turned the ball over a little too much, but our effort and defense were able to secure us a win," said University of La Verne women's basketball head coach
Anthony Mason.
The Leopards allowed only 19 points in the first half and just seven points in the second quarter.
The game remained tied for most of the first half, tied 12-12 end of the first quarter and 19-19 with 4:21 left in the second quarter. The Leopards closed out the half on an 8-0 run sparked by a free throw and layup from
Valentina Limon and a three from Howell.
Naomi Jackson set the tone with a three in the opening seconds of the half assisted by
Alyssa Smith.
Kimberly Leon gave the Leopards their biggest lead in the fourth with a three-pointer to go up 12 with 5:44 left in the game.
The Sagehens battled back and knocked down a three with 12 seconds left to play to cut La Verne's lead to 54-51. But Howell sealed the win with a free throw with eight seconds remaining.
Alyssa Smith finished with nine rebounds, four points, one assist, and one steal.
Te' Limon added five rebounds and three points.
The Leopards improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Leopards next travel to Las Vegas, NV for the D3 Hoops Classic hosted at South Point Arena. They'll take on Rhodes College, on Thursday, December 28th at 10 a.m. and Ohio Northern on Friday at 2 p.m.
