Boxscore

A frantic yet fiercely fought battle would turn the way of Cal Lutheran as the University of La Verne dropped a tough 81-78 decision to the Regals in SCIAC women's basketball action Saturday at Frantz Athletic Court.

Cal Lutheran used a 12-0 run to grab a 78-73 lead with 3:07 remaining and held an 81-75 advantage with 1:38 left to play.  A three-pointer from Brittni Tapia with 1:05 remaining to narrow the gap to 81-78.  The Leopards would regain possession with a chance to tie, but a three-point attempt from Amanda Copas rimmed out as the Regals escaped with the win.

With the win, the Regals (21-4, 13-3 SCIAC) earn outright claim to the SCIAC regular season crown.  La Verne (13-11, 10-5 SCIAC) moves back into a tie for fourth place with Occidental entering its final regular season game with Pomona-Pitzer.  The Leos and Tigers each are fighting for the final berth in next week's SCIAC Postseason Tournament.

The Leopards led 51-42 at the break behind the shooting of Megan Musashi, who connected on six treys in the opening frame on her way to 25 halftime points. 

CLU quickly erased the deficit with a 10-0 run to begin the half to go ahead 52-51 at the 17-minute mark.  From there, the contest became a see-saw affair as the squads exchanged the lead over the next nine minutes.

A layup from Starla Wright put CLU on top 66-63, but the Leos countered with a 10-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Shannon Irwin to lay claim to a 73-66 advantage.  But the Regals would respond with 12 unanswered points - seven coming from Erica Whitley - to take a five-point advantage heading into the final three minutes.

The Regals benefitted from making 18 of their 21 free throws (85.7%).  The Leopards hit on 16 three-pointers and outrebounded CLU by a 43-36 margin.

Whitley (29) and Starla Wright (26) combined for 55 points of the Regals' 81 points.  Wright finished 10-14 from the field while Whitley went 10-19 including a 3-4 effort from three-point range.

Musashi led La Verne with a game-high 31 points on the strength of eight three-pointers, one shy of the Leopard school record.  Tapia and Lindsey Foster finished 17 and 12 points, respectively.

The Leopards play their final regular season contest Monday night as they play host to Pomona-Pitzer on Senior Night.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.