LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne women's basketball team led by one with 10 seconds left and was ready to come away with a win in a back-and-forth season opener. But UC Santa Cruz sank a three with eight seconds to play and the Leopards fell 82-80 after their final three-point heave went off the mark.

Tied 76-76 in the final minute Jenna Gorton was fouled on a made-contested layup. Gorton made the free throw to put UCSC up by three with 45 seconds remaining. That's when the Prajitno sisters, making their La Verne debut, put the Leopards ahead. Coming out of a timeout Justine Prajitno responded with a drive past her defender for an easy layin to cut the lead to one. 

After a UCSC miss, Jasmine Prajinto grabbed the rebound and raced down the court for another layup to put the Leopards up 80-79 with 10 seconds to play. The Banana Slugs answered with a corner three to take a two-point lead with seven seconds on the clock. La Verne turned to program three-point leader Marissa Howell for the win, but her shot fell just short.

Justine Prajitno had a great start to her La Verne career. The freshman from Brea scored 26 points on 11-17 shooting with two steals and two rebounds.

Alyssa Smith and Jasmine Prajinto each scored 12 points. Smith led the Leopards with seven rebounds to go with three steals. Howell finished with 11 points with three three-pointers and three steals.

Cayla Harang finished with six rebounds and four steals. Annie Trnhh added nine points. Christen Ziska grabbed five boards. 

Neither team could take control for long in the game that featured 10 lead changes.

The Leopards travel to Washington for a pair of games. La Verne faces Willamette on Saturday at 3 p.m. and then faces Whitman College at noon on Sunday. Both games are hosted at Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington.