PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech men's basketball team treated a packed Braun Gymnasium crowd to a nail-biter against the University of La Verne Leopards Saturday afternoon.

The Beavers opened the day with a friendly scrimmage with a team of Caltech Alumni spanning the decades, most of whom remained in attendance for one of the most exciting games of the season on Caltech's home floor.

A close first half took a turn for La Verne's side with a late 11-point surge, turning a tied game with four minutes left in the half into a seven-point halftime advantage. Undeterred, Caltech fought all the way back over the following 12 minutes, sending the building into a frenzy as rookie Josh Balami splashed a three-pointer to put the Beavers back on top 51-50. Two more Beaver three-pointers followed, with another by Balami and then one by classmate Chase Williamson. The teams traded points in the remaining minutes, with La Verne immediately answering a Noah Hicks layup with a three just six seconds later, tying the score at 69-69. Ultimately a last-second Caltech layup attempt wouldn't fall in, and La Verne took the overtime period by an 11-7 score for an 80-76 win.

The Beavers shot an impressive 48.5% from the field in the second half, compared to La Verne's 35.1% and the Beavers' first half efficiency of 34.5%. Caltech also outperformed La Verne in the paint, tallying 34 points from up close compared to the Leopards' 32.

Williamson led Caltech with 20 points and nine rebounds; Balami followed with a career-high 18 points along with five rebounds, two assists and a block.

First-year Stuart Florescu picked up 17 points with seven rebounds, one block and one assist. Hicks led both teams in the assists column with three, adding nine points and seven boards.

Head Coach Dr. Oliver Eslinger and the Beavers will next face the University of Redlands at home on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.