LA VERNE, Calif. — Kayla Chism had a double-double and the University of La Verne women's basketball team solved the press in a 89-65 win over Knox on Tuesday night at Frantz Court.

Knox played almost the exact same run-and-gun style of basketball that North Central (Ill.) did in beating La Verne, 92-74, on Dec. 4 as the Prairie Fire went into the game averaging 97.9 points per game while averaging over 42 three-point attempts.

But La Verne was ready this time. The Leopards made good decisions with the ball on fast breaks, controlled the glass and played solid defense to take over the game.

"We definitely focused on our passing and we thought that opportunities would be available," La Verne head coach Julie Shaw said. "We just had to settle down and recognize that—and we did."

The shots didn't fall at first as the Leopards began the game shooting just 8 for 36 on the floor. But La Verne held Knox in check on the other end of the floor to stay close and made its move late in the first half. Gaby Moura-Hayes made a couple of layups, Brianna Bishop had a three, Chism sank a jumper and La Verne closed out the half on an 8-2 run on 4-of-4 shooting to take a 38-32 lead into the break.

The Leopards picked up right where they left off to begin the second half and stretched the lead to 16 points in a span of less than three minutes.

With a lot of time remaining, the Prairie Fire kept their poise, and got within 54-49 on a big run aided by a couple of long balls by Jamie Blue.

But that was as close as they would get as La Verne responded with a 17-1 run to extend the lead to 71-50 and effectively put the game away. Six different Leopards chipped in with a basket during that stretch.

Chism scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and hauled in 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action to notch the second double-double of her collegiate career.

"We have great newcomers that have come into the program and Kayla is one of them," Shaw said. "We told 'Chizzy' right off the bat that she is a double-double player and that's where she should set her standards because she's capable of it."

Three other Leopards cracked double digits in scoring and La Verne assisted 24 of its 32 made field goals. Riki Murakami dished out four assists to go along with 14 points and Kayla Valentine gave out five helpers while scoring 10 points.

Emily Myers was a force on the boards once again. Although she fell short of registering her third double-double in a row, the junior grabbed 12 rebounds in just 14 minutes to extend her double-digit rebound games to three.

Blue and Molly Lascelles combined for 22 points off the bench for the Prairie Fire.

La Verne improves to 4-4 overall and will host Bristol University on Saturday at 2 p.m.