LA VERNE, CA – The University of La Verne men's basketball team fought against the nationally ranked University of Redlands but fell short of the No. 10 Bulldogs, 93-85. 

James Christian pushed the Bulldogs to their limits. The junior from Long Beach scored a career-high 24 points off 66.7% shooting and made four of five thee-point attempts. He added three steals, two rebounds, and two assists. Higgy Katoa, after dropping 19 points last week against Whittier, contributed another 17 against the Bulldogs. He finished 4-6 on his three-pointers, making them at crucial times. Jackson Gray contributed four three-pointers for the Leopards.

The Leopards were neck and neck with the Bulldogs for the entirety of the first half. Cody Aquino knocked down a big three that gave the Leopards a 44-41 lead with 1:43 left to play in the half. La Verne went into the break leading Redlands, 46-45.

In the second half, the Leos fought to keep the lead. Defensively, Major Hurley stepped up and contributed eight defensive rebounds, matching his career high of defensive boards and just two shy of his career-high 10 total rebounds. Hurley also had a block and a steal, and four assists against the Bulldogs.

The Leopards trailed by 13 points with under three minutes to play, but found a way to give the Bulldogs a scare. Katoa knocked down a three off an assist from Isaiah Bennet. Christian followed with a layup and back-to-back triples on the Leopards' next three trips down the court to put the score at 91-85 with 37 seconds remaining. With the full court press on, Bennet forced a steal and got a good look and a three-pointer but his shot rattled out, and Redlands held on for the win.

The Leopards back in action on February 7 at 2 p.m. in The Tents against the Occidental College Tigers.