THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran men's basketball team got back in the win column tonight with a 72-60 conference victory over La Verne at Gilbert Arena before a crowd that included the family after whom the gymnasium is named.

Box Score: CLU 72, ULV 60 - F

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert took in an exciting game that was described by senior Xavier Walton as, "A total team effort tonight as everyone contributed," he went on, "It was a big win for us."

It was a collective effort for the Kingsmen as they increased their lead to as many as 15 points after leading by a pair at the break, 27-25. Aaron Van Klaveren continued his double-double streak and Jayvaughn Nettles poured in 17 points as each connected for eight free-throws.

In a physical game, especially down the stretch, the Kingsmen went to the line 35 total times, converting 15-for-23 on the night. Nettles was perfect at the stripe with an 8-for-8 performances and Walton added another solid showing, going 2-for-2.

After a see-saw first half in which the teams were never separated by more than six points, when Nettles hit a three with 5:39 to play, the Kingsmen came out of the locker room revamped and turned in a well executed second stanza.

Up by just three at the 13:22 mark, Cal Lutheran went on an 11-0 run that was both sparked by a Van Klaveren layup on which he was fouled and converted the and-one and ended in the same scenario. Once CLU took a double figure lead during that stretch, they would never look back.

During the last two outings Cal Lutheran has struggled to finish the games, but tonight there would be no question. They shot 52.4 percent in the second half to finish at a 43.8 clip and limited ULV to just 28.6 percent in the second period. The Leopards combined to shoot 32.8 percent from the floor as a unit.

John Wilson led the defensive effort for the Kingsmen, who held La Verne's top two players to a combined 7-for-31 performance. Van Klaveren recorded a trio of blocks and got a pair of steals.

CLU outrebounded ULV 41-37 despite the Leos grabbing 12 offensive boards, four more than the Kingsmen. Those 12 second chances turned into 17 ULV points.

Van Klaveren led all players with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the game. He was 7-for-9 from the floor and 8-for-11 at the charity stripe. Mike Harris chipped in with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal as he played nearly all 40 minutes. Wilson handed out a game high four assists for CLU as well as being a defensive presence.

La Verne (5-15, 2-7 SCIAC) was paced by Trevor Woodland with 14 points while Austin Napolitano recorded a nine point, nine rebound night with a pair of assists, a pair of blocks and a pair of steals.

Cal Lutheran (7-12, 3-6 SCIAC) will be on the road Wednesday evening when they travel to Pomona-Pitzer (12-7, 7-2 SCIAC) to take on the Sagehens at 7:30 p.m.