LA VERNE, Calif. – Both teams started slow, but Linfield men's basketball separated in the second half to down La Verne 84-67 to open the Wildcats' California road trip Tuesday night at The Tents.
It was a shaky start for both teams, entering halftime with a score of 36-31 in favor of the Wildcats. The 'Cats shot 53.3 percent from the field in the half but made just 4 of 13 three-pointers. It wasn't any better for the Leopards, who connected on 39.4 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from the free throw line while missing all six three-point attempts.
"A slow start to a long day of travel kept us playing short of our best in the first half," head coach
Shanan Rosenberg said. "The guys rallied in the second half and did a much better job with rebounding and defending."
Linfield turned on the jets in the second period, making 60 percent of its shots, including 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. The three-pointers still weren't falling, but the 'Cats finished the game with 50 points in the paint and 27 points off 16 La Verne turnovers.
Senior guard
Dempsey Roggenbuck led the way with a game-high 26 points, connecting on 12 of 18 from the field, 1 of 3 from deep and 1 of 2 from the free throw line. He also had two rebounds. Roggenbuck, a Fourth Team D3Hoops.com Preseason All-American, has scored 20 or more points in both games this season.
Fellow senior guard
Max Lommen left his mark on the game with 14 points on 6 of 14 shooting from the field. Lommen was all over the place, pulling down six rebounds to go with four steals and three assists. Freshman point guard
Trey Bryant was the third 'Cat to score in double figures with 11 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Jacob Hjort made all three of his shots to lead the bench with seven points.
"Dempsey was special in the second half," Rosenberg said. "Max, Trey and Jacob did a great job as well. I give La Verne a lot of credit for playing very hard and physical."
John Malone II led the Leopards with 21 points, making 6 of 16 from the field, 3 of 8 from long range and 6 of 10 from the charity stripe while grabbing three rebounds. Seth Shaw had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Isaiah Knox also scored in double digits with 13 points.
NEXT
The 'Cats (2-0) will stay in California for the David Wells Classic, hosted by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at Roberts Pavilion. They will play Pomona-Pitzer on Friday and CMS on Saturday.