Daniel Franklin
Staff Writer
The men’s basketball team came up close against Caltech, 88-85, on Wednesday at Frantz Athletic Court.
In the first half the Leopards and Beavers had a back-and-forth battle, with neither team having more than a six point lead.
The Leopards tied it early on, 8-8 with many three pointers from junior guard Jackson Gray and senior guard Cody Aquino. Gray scored 15 points, a rebound, and an assist for the night.
“We let certain guys get too comfortable and I think that’s what hurt us,” sophomore guard Higgy Katoa said. “I think that our overall defensive effort needed to be better as well.”
The Leopards did successfully control the free throw line, making over 50% of their free throws. Caltech didn’t roll over, however, keeping the game close in the middle of the first half.
With five minutes left in the first half, the Beavers took a three-point lead over the Leopards. With 4:22 left in the first half, Gray sank a two-pointer for the Leopards to cut the lead to 1.
On the next possession La Verne junior forward Julian Daaboul came down for a steal, and a pass to Aquino, who would be fouled by the Beavers. He secured the two free throws, giving the Leopards a 39-38 lead with 3:56 remaining.
“As a team we can improve by being aware of the challenges we continue to face in regards to a full 40 minutes of execution, and trying to lock down defensively for two complete halves,” Aquino said.
The Beavers instantly took back the lead after scoring two points the next possession, but the Leopards took it right back in their next possession.
The Beavers tied it back up with 2:27 remaining as the score was 41-41. The Leopards then went on a run, scoring four points in the next three possessions.
Caltech responded with multiple points and defensive stops on their own, tying the game up 45-45 with 12 seconds remaining in the first half. Gray, with one second remaining, drained a three to give the Leopards the lead.
Gray also made the and-one attempt, giving the Leopards a four-point lead, 49-45, at the end of the first half.
The second half was a consistent battle. La Verne sophomore guard Percy Whittaker scored a season high of 17 points and shot 70% from the field. Whittaker also tied his season high in rebounds and steals.
In the second half, Whittaker turned up the gas, starting with a driving layup, pushing the Leopards into taking the lead, 70-67. Whittaker grabbed six rebounds, two steals and made several free throws.
The Leopards maintained the lead as they consistently had good offensive possessions and great defensive stops. The Leopards got up to a seven point lead against the Beavers, as it was a dominant second half.
However, the Beavers did not give up, coming back with a few points of their own. Caltech dragged the Leopards for a long stretch, finally breaking the lead with under a minute left, 86-85.
The Leopards did not capitalize for the next two possessions down the stretch of the final 30 seconds. The Beavers called a timeout, and came out to sink two free throws to put the lead to 87-85.
With a final hope of overtime the Leopards would come down with a few seconds left in the final possession but would miss the final three attempts.
Gray and Aquino each finished with 15 points. Katoa finished with 14 points, three steals and four assists. James Christian finished with 10 points of his own.
La Verne also faced Chapman on Saturday and fell short, 79-75.
Next up, La Verne will close the season against Pomona-Pitzer at 2 p.m. Saturday at Frantz Athletic Court.
Daniel Franklin can be reached at daniel.franklin@laverne.edu.
Daniel Franklin is a junior communications major and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
Joseph Nocero is a senior photography major at the University of La Verne and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and photography editor for La Verne Magazine. His work can also be found at Joseph Nocero Photography.
