Box Score LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's basketball team rallied and overcame an early first-half deficit to take a 41-39 lead at the half.

But the Occidental Tigers surged early in the second half to retake the lead and beat the Leopards 86-68.

The Leopards rained down eight three-pointers in the first half to take control of the game. Seven different Leopards drained shots from beyond the arc in the period, led by two from Logen Howard. The Leopards shot 47.1 percent from range in the opening 20 minutes.

But the shots stopped falling in the second half, and the Tigers took advantage, opening the half on a 31-9 run to take the lead for good.

Howard and Tyler Brown each finished with 11 points. Brown added four rebounds and two assists, and Howard added two assists.

Eleven different players scored for the Leopards. Saafir Moore scored nine points, Paul Antonis and Darien Guyton each finished with eight, and Titus Davies added six.

Aiden Williams led the Tigers with 24 points, and Andrew Waldman finished with 22.

La Verne moves to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the SCIAC. The Tigers improve to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

La Verne returns to action on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. at home against Cal Lutheran.