LA VERNE — Andrew Johnson scored 32 points and Joe Compagno added 13.

But the Occidental men's basketball team couldn't hold on to a 14-point halftime lead against sharp-shooting La Verne, falling 74-70 on the road on Saturday.

Johnson, a two-team All-SCIAC selection who was named Division III News National Player of the Month in December, was a force inside, going 10 for 21 on mostly low post touches. He also went 12 for 14 from the free throw line and grabbed six rebounds.

Compagno went 6 for 10 and had four assists. Jeevin Sandhu scored eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Austin DeWitz had eight points and nine rebounds.

The Leopards went on a 21-4 run in the second half, eventually taking the lead with 3:52 to go.

Khaneal Mason scored the go-ahead bucket on a backdoor cut with 52 seconds left, finishing the pass from Hakim Arnold.

Johnson had a left-handed hook from the middle of the paint with 40 seconds left to tie the game, but missed short, and Austin DeWitz was called for a charge on a made basket with 3 seconds left.

La Verne's Anthony White made two free throws to secure the game.

Arnold led La Verne with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Season Impact: The Tigers fall to 8-4 overall and 0-3 in SCIAC play. La Verne improves to 8-4 and 2-1.

Next Game: The Tigers are back in action at Whittier on Thursday at 7 p.m.