Box Score

Redlands, Cali. (uwrfsports.com) – Senior foward Garret Pearson scored a game-high 25 points and the UW-River Falls men's basketball team won their opening game of the Lee Fulmer Memorial Classic in California with a 71-69 victory over the University of La Verne.
 
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UWRF 71, University of La Verne 69
Location: Redlands, California
Records: UW-River Falls (5-1), University of La Verne (2-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Falcons were able to hold onto the win after leading by 11 at halftime. After Devin Buckley nailed two free throws with six seconds left to give the Falcons a two point lead, the Leopards had a shot at the buzzer, but the shot rolled off the rim.
• UW-River Falls would create the first real separation in the game with a 10-1 run in the middle of the first half. Senior forward Garret Pearson connected on a three point shot and an and-one to give the Falcns the 30-19 lead with 6:54 to go in the first half.
• Pearson had the team-high in points in the first half with 16 points on 6-8 shooting. He added five rebounds to his impressive first half.
• At the half, the Falcons were able to sustain a double-digit lead at the buzzer with the score 41-29.
• In the second half, Pearson started right where he left off. He sunk a jump shot and was fouled and put the Falcons up by 15 points just 23 seconds into the second half.
• Using a 16-6 run, the Leopards were within six points with 14:14 to go in the second half and would continue to inch closer.
• Down eight with 7:16 to go, La Verne would quickly make it a game. Scoring eight straight points, the Leopards tied the game at 60 with 5:38 to go.
• Crunch time in full effect, both teams would battle down the stretch. The lead was exchanged seven times in the final five minutes.
• On the Falcons final possession, Devin Buckley was fouled with six seconds to go and was sent to the line to shoot two free throws. Buckley would come in clutch and swish both free throws to give the Falcons the final lead.

 
 
IN-DEPTH LOOK

• After his solid first half, Pearson would finish with 25 points on an efficient 10-13 shooting. He was the only Falcon to connect on a three point shot and added seven rebounds in 26 minutes.
• Junior Alex Herink would score eight points in the second half to finish with 14. He also had a game-high two blocks.
• Buckley scored nine in the second half to finish with 13 points. He was sent to the chaity stripe 11 times and sank seven of them. He was also able to drag down seven rebounds and snag two steals.
• As a team, the Falcons shot 28-63 (44.4 percent) from the floor. The team shot 14-22 (63.6 percent) from the free throw line as well.
• UWRF won the rebound battle with 49 total rebounds to the Leopards 37.

 
 
THE OPPOSITION

• The leading scorer for La Verne was Cruz Mertens who scored 15 off the bench on 5-9 shooting from the three point line.  
• Hakim Arnold was the only starter in double-figures. He was 6-16 from the floor and had five rebounds and two steals.
• As a team, the Leopards were 26-68 (38.2 percent) from the floor. The team nailed nine three pointers on 29 attempts as well.  

 
LOOKING AHEAD
Staying in California, the Falcons will next face the host of the Lee Fulmer Memorial Classic, the University of Redlands (2-1). The Boxers won their first game of the tournament 63-60 over Trinity (Texas). This is the first meeting with the University of Redlands. The game is set to tip off at 9 p.m. Central Time (CT).