Stags Top Leopards With Balanced Attack

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags used a balanced scoring effort to defeat the La Verne Leopards Wednesday night. The Stags (10-7, 4-2 SCIAC) had nine different players score, including three in double figures.

Freshman Chris Blees (Carmichael) led the way for CMS with 16 points and eight rebounds. Senior Craig Borengasser (Tempe, Ariz.) added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Leopards were led by a 20-point effort from Juan Canas.

CMS used a 22-4 scoring run during the latter part of the first half to take a 30-17 lead with 3:57 left in the period. Nine different players scored during the outburst.

The Leopards chipped away at the CMS lead over the waning moments of the first half. The Stags led 34-29 at the half.

Senior Dan Winterbottom (Tempe, Ariz.) opened the second half with a three-pointer to put the Stags up by eight early on. After a free throw and a quick three-pointer by La Verne, CMS went on a 12-3 run to take a 49-36 lead with 14:15 remaining.

The Leopards scored six straight points to pull within seven at 49-42, but it was the closest they would get the rest of the game.

The Stags out-rebounded the Leopards 31-26 and posted 16 steals on the night, including four each from junior Austin Soldner (Southlake, Texas) and sophomore Drew Rivera (Torrance [pictured]).

CMS plays at Redlands on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.