LOS ANGELES — Alyssa Smith notched her fourth double-double, and Chiara Brown scored a game-high 21 points Saturday evening. But it wasn't enough, as the Leopards couldn't hold off a fourth-quarter surge, falling to Occidental 72-54.

Brown added seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Smith grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, 10 defensive boards, and scored 10 points. 

Marrisa Howell drained a pair of three-pointers and finished with 11 points. Howell has made 187 career three-pointers and is just six away from tying the La Verne women's basketball record.

Toni Thompson led the Tigers with 17 points. 

The Leopards move to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in the SCIAC. Occidental improves to 14-3 overall and 8-3 in conference place.

La Verne remains in a tight race for the top spot in the SCIAC. They are in a three-way tie for second place with the Tigers and Whittier. Cal Lutheran is in first place with an 8-2 SCIAC record.

The Leopards host Cal Lutheran in a key matchup this Wednesday at 7 p.m.