Women's Basketball Loses Battle with La Verne, Mascoto '07 Drops 21 on the Leopards

Michelle Mascoto '07 scored 21 points but Whittier College lost 58-53 to the University of La Verne in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at Graham Athletics Center on February 8.  The Poets are 10-10 overall and 3-6 in conference play.

Mascoto also had seven rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Poets.  Desiree Flores '08 scored eight points and Megan Wingo '07 and Rosario Rios-Aguilar '08 scored seven points apiece.

La Verne (15-5, 8-1) got out in front early, beginning the game with a 10-0 run.  After being down by double digits for the majority of the first half, the Poets were able to cut the lead to nine going into the break.

The Leopards built their lead to as many as 13 in the second half, but an 8-0 Whittier run cut the deficit to five with just over a half left to play.  A three-point play from Mascoto cut the lead to three with just 16 seconds left, but La Verne was able to make their free throw attempts to close out the game.