Flora Wong
Staff Writer
The women’s basketball team fought hard but lost, 65-50, to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Saturday at Frantz Athletic Court.
The game was La Verne’s annual Pink Zone game, dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer.
The team got off to a rough start until junior shooting guard Brianna Bishop made the first basket.
“I was just glad we made it on the board,” Bishop said. “I think just with our record, everybody overlooks us but to be in the game, was exciting as we all still enjoy playing.”
In the second quarter, the shots started falling with senior forward Noelle Cobb leading the way. She finished the game with 16 points.
“It was our defense that kept us in the game and kept it close,” Cobb said.
La Verne made a run before halftime, making three layups to bring the score to 30-22.
The strategy was to focus on having a strong defensive and unified team.
“Even though we were losing, it’s important to keep everyone’s heads in the game and focus on the endpoint,” senior guard Karli Kato said. “Even if we make a mistake, we just have to move forward with the next task.”
La Verne tried to hold its defensive ground in the second half, but CMS made two quick layups leaving the Leopards stumbling behind.
The Athena’s outscored La Verne in the paint, 44-12.
Despite losing, La Verne still has hope for the next four games. They want to take their dedication and perseverance to the next game.
With pink on their shoulders, head coach Julie Shaw encouraged the team to move forward after the loss.
Shaw said that the team needs to trust the building process.
The Leopards’ overall record of 2-20 and 2-10 in their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, does not leave them discouraged.
“Not everyone starts out champions.” Shaw said.“We really have to put in the work.”
Flora Wong can be reached at yuenyuen.wong@laverne.edu.
Flora Wong
