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Women’s basketball defeated, 75-51

Sophomore guard Kelli Obrero drives past a defender and under La Verne's goal during last Friday's game against Pomona-Pitzer. Despite Obrero's 17-point contribution, the Leopards lost the road game to the Sagehens, 75-51. / photo by Natalie Fowle
Sophomore guard Kelli Obrero drives past a defender and under La Verne’s goal during last Friday’s game against Pomona-Pitzer. Despite Obrero’s 17-point contribution, the Leopards lost the road game to the Sagehens, 75-51. / photo by Natalie Fowle

by Matt Cresto
Staff Writer

Women’s basketball head coach Julie Kline should chalk Friday’s game up as a learning experience. The undersized and less experienced Leopards took a 75-51 visiting loss to a dominating Pomona-Pitzer squad, 75-51.

The Leopards were beaten in every aspect of the game during the first half. The Sagehens out rebounded the Leopards, and beat them down the floor in fast break transitions.

“Height had a lot to do with tonight,” Kline said. “We just got beat by a better team.”

Cold shooting during the first half contributed to the Leopards’ problems. They were 6-of-26 from the field and 0-of-10 from 3 point range during the first half.

The Leopards (8-14 overall) did see offensive improvement during the second half. La Verne improved to 14-of-31 from the field and 4-of-10 from the behind the three-point arc.

Senior guard Michelle Geiger drained back-to-back three-pointers to cut down the lead early in the second half, but every time the Leopards made a run, the Sagehens responded with overpowering play under the basket, creating easy lay-ins and increasing their lead.

Late in the second half, the Leopards created a six-point swing started by a fast break basket from sophomore point guard Kelli Obrero to freshman guard Jasper Gary. Obrero then broke down the Sagehens’ defense for two points. It was capped by a steal and basket by Gary off a deflection from the Leopards’ pressure defense. However, it was a little too late, and the Leopards saw their conference record drop to 2-8.

Obrero led the Leopards with 17 points and three assists. Geiger and Gary contributed six points apiece.

“We are still in the welcome to college basketball phase,” said Kline. “They are just beginning to understand the game.”

Nine of the 13 players on the La Verne roster are freshmen this year. Only two seniors returned to the team this year in guards Geiger and Michelle Ballard.

ULV plays at home tonight at 7:30 p.m. against CMS.

Matt Cresto
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Natalie Fowle, Photography Editor
Natalie Fowle
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