LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's basketball team lost to the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags on Wednesday night by a final of 85-71 despite making season high 14 threes made.

In his first game back from injury, Higgy Katoa led the offense with 17 points while shooting five of six from beyond the arc. The sophomore also finished with three assists, a block, and a steal. Jackson Gray was also a standout with 16 points of his own. Like Katoa, he filled up from deep making four threes and recording four boards.

The first half started off back and forth with some clutch shooting from the field, and Katoa tied it at 13 with an NBA range three. The Leos took the lead with 4:15 left when Kason White buried a 23-footer. Ryan Lin was able to hit a transition layup with one second on the clock to cut the deficit down to three at the half.

In the second period, the Stags inched ahead, and at one point led by 14. La Verne however was able to keep it close towards the last media timeout, and found themselves in a two possession game with 3:28 left. Some costly turnovers and fouls allowed CMS to pull away, and they closed out the victory, winning by 14.

Up next, the Leopards travel to Whittier to take on the Poets on Saturday at 2 p.m.