LA VERNE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's basketball battled but fell in a nailbiter to the La Verne Leopards 57-54 on Wednesday night. 

Alline Ballard had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds but the Regals lost their second straight game. They drop to 13-6 overall and 8-3 in SCIAC play. 

Kaiya Mack was next with 12 points and Janna Holley added 11. Karina McMillan dished out a team-high three assists, Aliya DiMuro recorded four blocks, and Holley had three steals. 

The game remained close from start to finish with seven ties and 14 lead changes, as neither team led by more than six points. The Regals dominated the bench points 15-4, but the Leopards outscored them 11-8 in points off turnovers and 17-11 in second chance points.  

The game swung back and forth as the Leopards led 14-13 after the first quarter with the Regals leading 28-27 at the half. The Leopards took the lead back by the end of the third and were up 42-41 with 10 minutes to go. The game was tied multiple times in the fourth and it was 54-54 with 21 seconds left. The Leopard scored the next three points via free throws and were up with four seconds left. The Regals had their chances at the buzzer but came up just short. 

After three games on the road, the Regals are returning home. They host Redlands on Wednesday at 4 p.m.