Stags Clinch Tournament Berth with Win over La Verne

LA VERNE, CA -- The Stags (10-1, 18-4) clinched a berth in the SCIAC Tournament with their tenth conference win by defeating La Verne (3-8, 7-15) 76-67. The win puts CMS two games in front of second-place Redlands in the SCIAC conference standings.

The Stags led 36-29 by the end of the first half and were able to lead by as many as 14 points in the second half. The Leopards had a tough night shooting, scoring only 42.3% from the field. Despite the Stag’s 16 turnovers, they were able to control the boards by out-rebounding La Verne 31-28, which included 25 Stag defensive rebounds.

Chris Blees (JR, Carmichael [pictured]) had a game-high 25 points eight rebounds in the win. Patrick Lacey (JR, Orangevale) contributed 11 points and seven rebounds while Joseph Anderson (SO, Lafayette) was also able contribute 11 points. La Verne’s Trevor Woodland had a productive night off the bench, scoring 16 points.

The Stags’ next game will be in Whittier on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 PM. With a win on Wednesday, the Stags can clinch the first-place seed in the SCIAC tournament.