CLAREMONT, CA — Christen Ziska notched her first career double-double and the University of La Verne women's basketball team earned a 57-55 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a competitive contest at Roberts Pavilion.

A game after notching her first double-double on the other side of Sixth Street, Ziska added another impressive showing. The Irvine Valley College transfer led the Leopards with 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made a career-high six three-pointers.

Alyssa Smith posted her eighth double-double of the season leading La Verne with 13 rebounds and adding 14 points. The Spanaway, Washington native is averaging 12.9 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game.

Trailing 54-49 with under three minutes to play, Ziska drained a three to get the Leopards within two. Smith sank a jumper on La Verne's next trip down the court to even the score. The duo sealed the game a minute later when Ziska made a free throw to put La Verne ahead 55-54 and Smith added some insurance with a jumper off an assist from Jasmine Prajitno.

Marissa Howell finished with eight points, Fiyona Haile grabbed five boards, and Prajitno finished with six points.

The Leopard took a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter after holding the Athenas to just 3-15 shooting in the opening period. But the script flipped in the second with CMS outscoring La Verne 17-8 to take a 23-21 lead at the half. 

La Verne improved to 5-11 overall and 2-6 in the SCIAC and dropped CMS 5-9 overall an 1-4 in SCIAC play. The Leopards will complete their five-game road trip on Saturday when they travel to Caltech for a 2 p.m. tipoff.