LA VERNE, CA — Jackson Gray posted career-bests, and the University of La Verne men's basketball team controlled the visiting East Texas Baptist University Tigers for most of the game. But ETBU rallied in the final minutes to spoil the Leopards' 2026 debut, beating La Verne 74-70.

Gray went off from range, leading all players with four three-pointers on his way to a team-high 17 points, both career highs for the Saddleback College transfer.

Higgy Katoa directed the offense, dishing out seven assists while dropping 13 points of his own. He also led the Leopards with seven rebounds and added a steal. The sophomore kept the Tigers on edge with several no-look passes for easy buckets.

The Leopards were efficient from the field in the first half, shooting 54.2 percent and 66.7 percent from three, making six shots from beyond the arc. La Verne made the most of their trips to the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes, going 13-15 from the line to help take a 45-36 lead at the break.

La Verne continued their sure shooting from the free throw line early in the second half with Cody Aquino making a pair of shots to give his squad their largest lead of the night, 50-40. ETBU rallied and tied the score 56-56 off an Orlando Gooden III layup midway through the second half.

The squads traded leads in the final minutes. But Jack Pease put ETBU up for good,70-68, with a layup and extended the lead to four following two free throws. Pease led the Tigers with 23 points.

Kason White finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Sharodd Lewis led the Leopards with six rebounds, five points, one assist, and one steal.

Next Game

The Leopards continue nonconference action tomorrow at noon against Grinnell College.