Hatten, La Verne Overcome PLNC

Point Loma Nazarene’s men’s basketball team couldn’t stop Matt Hatten for 39 1/2 minutes in its 71-65 loss Saturday to La Verne at Golden Gym. So one would figure the Crusaders wouldn’t be able to contain the Leopard forward in the final 30 seconds.

Hatten, who finished with a game-high 30 points, made two free throws with 30 seconds left to give La Verne the lead for good, 66-65. Hatten, who made eight of 15 shots from the field and also had a game-high nine rebounds, helped the Leopards build a 16-point lead in the second half--at which PLNC (4-4) chipped away until it became foul prone in the final moments.

Shawn DeLaittre had 21 and Frank Dews 15 for the Crusaders. La Verne is 4-2.