ORANGE, CA — Marissa Howell hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in regulation to force overtime Wednesday night at Chapman, but the Panthers made clutch free throws late to come away with a 104-101 double-overtime victory over the University of La Verne women's basketball team.

Notables

• Irvine Valley College transfer Christen Ziska continues to emerge as a go-to option for La Verne. She scored a career-high 28 points with three three-pointers, five rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal. She's finished in double figures in three straight games.
• Howell scored 27 points with four three-pointers and shot 9-9 from the line. She tallied three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
• Annie Trinh matched a season-high 19 points and led all players with four steals.
• Alyssa Smith dished out nine assists, grabbed five rounds, and scored five points. She ranks fourth in the SCIAC with 3.5 assists per game.
• Allison McGill finished with nine points and six rebounds

How It Happened

• La Verne took a 23-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and held an eight-point lead at the half.
• The Panthers rallied in the third to tie the game 59-59 off two late baskets by Layla Woods.
• Chapman took an 81-78 lead with 19 seconds after two made free throws from Shanna Brown.
• Out of a timeout, Trinh made a cross-court pass to Smith. Howell got open off a screen from Ziska, grabbed a pass from Smith, and sank the long ball to force overtime.
• La Verne held a two-point lead with three seconds left in overtime but a late foul sent Kira Watanabe to the line who sank both shots to force double overtime.
• Free throws made the difference late as the Panthers went 6-6 in double overtime including the final four points to win the game.

By The Numbers

• La Verne made a season-high 13 three-pointers.
• La Verne started hot, shooting over 58 percent from the field in the first quarter.
• The Leopards struggle in the final five minutes, shooting just 1-9 in double overtime.
• La Verne defeated the Panthers 68-56 in a nonconference game at UC Santa Cruz last time out.

Records

• La Verne moves to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the SCIAC.
• Chapman goes to 2-5 overall and 1-0 in the SCIAC.

Next Game

• The Leopards take a week and a half off and return to action on Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. Against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.