RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The La Sierra Golden Eagles men's basketball team started their season with a home victory against Life Pacific College Tuesday night, October 29. The Eagles took the lead in the second minute of the game and led for the rest of the contest, winning 95-86 and beginning the season at 1-0. The Eagles were led by Junior guard DJ Everage who led the team in points, rebounds and assists, and coming just one assist short of a triple double. Everage ended with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists and made 13 of 17 free throws. Freshman Uriel Lejtman, in the first college game of his career, came off the bench to add 20 points and 8 rebounds. Sophomore Duane Darrett added 17 points and 8 rebounds while making 4 of 5 three pointers. Ivan Egbunike added 11 points and Brian Whitfield had 10.
Life Pacific was led by Colin Cunniff who had 19 points and Malakhi Jensen who added 16 off the bench.
The game was close for most of the first half as the Eagles maintained a small lead. Every time Life Pacific made a run, the Eagles matched them and stayed in control. The Eagles made a little run to end the first half and went into the locker room with an 11 point lead at 45-34. The second half saw the Warriors of Life Pacific start out hot and cut right into that lead getting it down to 4 points in the opening minutes. The Eagles then took control and extended the lead to double digits, leading by as many as 18 with 8 minutes to go. The Warriors then caught fire and stormed all the way back, cutting the Eagles lead to 2 with 4 minutes to go. But back to back baskets by Uriel Lejtman followed by a 3 pointer by Duane Darrett reestablished the lead for good. The Eagles made some late free throws to win 95-86 in front of a large and rowdy crowd.
The Eagles now hit the road and travel to Vanguard University to take on a highly ranked team from the GSAC conference. Tip off is at 8 pm Saturday night.
The Eagles next home game is Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm vs West Coast Baptist
Game Score
· 1st half: 45-34 LSU
· 2nd half: 52-50 LPU
· Final: 95-86 LSU
Player Highlights
DJ Everage (JR/Los Angeles, CA)
· 29 points / 9 assists / 11 rebounds
Duane Darrett Jr. (SO/Simi Valley, CA)
· 17 points / 2 assists
Uriel Lejtman (FR/Parana, Argentina)
· 20 points / 8 rebounds
