University of La Verne

LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne and Occidental College men's water polo teams played a thrilling midweek SCIAC match at Las Flores Park that came down to the final minutes. Nicolo Buno scored what proved to be the difference-maker in the final two minutes, and the Leopards finished with an exciting 14-13 win Wednesday night.

Jordan Baker played one of his best games of the season and did everything for the Leopards. The senior scored five goals, dished three assists, drew four exclusions, and added four steals in an outstanding all-around performance.

Trailing 8-7 entering the third quarter, the Leopards rallied, outscoring the Tigers 4-2 in the period. The Leopards went on a 3-0 run to jump ahead 10-7 on scores by Josh Lamberton, Christian Acosta, and Timothy Robles.

The Tigers responded with two goals to get within one, but Baker answered with 14 seconds left in the period to give La Vern a two-goal cushion entering the fourth. The squads traded goals in the final period, but Buono scored the dagger with 1:47 to play.

Lamberton tallied three goals, two drawn exclusions, one steal, and one assist. Acosta scored twice and added a block. Robles ended with two goals, one assist, and two drawn exclusions.

Zane Derrod, Danny Miller, and Nicholas Karamia scored three goals apiece for Occidental.

The Leopards improve to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in the SCIAC. The Tigers fall to 6-12 and 0-4.

La Verne returns to Las Flores Park for an 11 a.m. showdown with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps this Saturday.