Boxscore

The University of La Verne women's basketball squad could not overcome a strong shooting effort from Chapman University as the Leopards dropped an 89-77 road decision to the Panthers in SCIAC action Saturday evening in Orange.

Chapman (16-5, 8-4 SCIAC) shot 52.3% (33-62) from the field and added 23 points from the free throw line as it went 23-34 from the charity stripe.

In the first half, the Leopards enjoyed an early lead of 13-10 on a three-pointer from Leslie Steele at 13:47.  Steele would later convert on three free throws to provide the Leos with a 16-12 advantage.

After a jumper from Tyne McClure put the Leopards on top 18-14, Chapman reeled off six consecutive points to reclaim the lead at 20-18.  Amanda Copas responded with a trey to put La Verne back on top by a point at 21-20.  Unfortunately for the Leopards, the lead would be their last of the game.

Back-to-back jumpers from Sandra Gao put Chapman ahead 24-21 as they would eventually lead by as many as nine points on their way to a 44-37 advantage at the break.

Early in the second stanza, a jumper from Andrea Villanueva gave Chapman its first double-digit lead at 50-40 with 17:23 remaining.  The lead would later stretch to 15 after a free throw and consecutive baskets from Kimi Takaoka with 16:09 left to play.

La Verne (10-10, 7-4 SCIAC) battled back and worked to slice the deficit back to single digits when McClure made a jumper to close the gap to 61-53 at the 11:00 mark.  A jumper from Shannon Irwin would later cut the Panther lead to seven at 63-56.

After Copas hit a pair of free throws to narrow the deficit to six at 67-61, Chapman scored eight unanswered points to take a 75-61 lead with over seven minutes left in the contest. 

The Panthers controlled action down the stretch and would lead by as many as 16 points as La Verne was unable to close within single digits over the final six minutes.

La Verne was held under 80 points for the first time in two months, a span of 14 games.  The Leopards shot 32.5% (27-83) including a 9-38 effort from three-point range.

The duo of Takaoka (26) and Gao (24) combined for 50 points for the Panthers.  Takaoka finished 11-17 from the field.

Amanda Copas led the Leopards in scoring with 13 points while Brittni Tapia added 11 while Steele finished with nine points.  

La Verne returns home for its next contest as it continues league action next Thursday against Whittier College.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.