Leopards experience three game losing streak
Campus Times
December 4, 1998
For the women's basketball team, times have hard since the season opening
victory over Life Bible College. The Leopards lost to Westmont College,
74-47, to bring their overall record to 1-3.
"We've been playing with no intensity. It seems like we are not
into it," said senior guard Michelle Geiger.
The game was held in Santa Barbara, home of the Warriors.
Westmont executed with a ferocious offensive attack as three players
provided double-digit numbers. Bernice Stimes, guard, had 11 points while
forward Nichelle Luster contributed 18. Guard Judy Hofkins led Westmont
with 20. Heather Johnson, senior guard, had a team high for the Leopards
of 14 points, including four three-pointers.
The Leopards, however, did improve in rebounds falling under the Warriors
with a difference of seven, 42-35, in comparison to last weekend's disaster.
Last weekend, ULV traveled to Colorado and endured what some have called
"a learning experience." The Leopards lost both tournament matches
92-47 and 82-54.
La Verne participated in the Colorado Invitational, a two-day bracket-style
competition in Colorado Springs. Also present at the tournament were Southwestern
University, Colorado College and Gustavus College.
Action began last Friday for the Leopards as they played against Southwestern
University, the eventual tournament champions.
Southwestern dominated both offensively and defensively by scoring off
31 turnovers and collecting 54 total rebounds. They also scored 69 points
off the bench in comparison to the Leopards' 11. Lack of depth contributing
factor to the loss.
"I think a lot of it had to do with us only having eight people
playing when other teams have 15 or 16," said junior guard Michelle
Ballard.
"We are quick and get up and down the floor in the first half but
they have subs coming in every minute so it takes its toll."
Unfortunately, Saturday's match followed the same pattern. The battle
over third place against Colorado College also ended in a La Verne defeat,
82-54.
Colorado swept the floor in the beginning of the game leading after
the first half, 42-19.
Senior guard Heather Johnson, team captain, said, "We could have
played a lot better and we have the talent to do so. In the second half
of that game, we picked up the tempo and played more aggressively."
Her sentiments are held true. The Leopards earned 35 points in the second
half, 16 points more than the first half performance.
Johnson also earned a spot in the All-Invitational Team. Against Southwestern,
she led the Leopards with a team high of 17 points. In the second game,
she led the team with 23.
The team will host Concordia tonight in a non-conference duel, scheduled
for 7:30 in the Supertents.
