Men’s basketball earns convincing home-opening win

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's basketball team took home a convincing 79-40 victory over the visiting University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls (2-3) earlier this afternoon. The Panthers (2-1) were led by sophomore Alex Rogat, who scored 17 points in the win.

Chapman built an early 8-0 lead in the first three and a half minutes of the first half before UMPI sophomore KJ Minter made a jumper for the Owls' first points of the game. Junior Chandler White then hit four free throws in a row, followed by a three pointer from junior Hayden Moore to build to a dominant 15-2 lead just over five minutes into the first half.

Minter answered with a layup and over a minute of scoreless play later UMPI junior DeAndre Duncombe drained a three-pointer followed by a layup to cut the deficit to six points. Chapman sophomore Derrick Morris extended the lead, draining five points in a row on a shot beyond the arc and a couple of free throws. Juniors Brandon Chan and John Besse finished off the half with a couple of layups to put the Panthers up 37-15 at the break.

Junior Colin Ferrier broke open the scoring in the second half, nailing a three-pointer over a minute into the period. Another shot from behind the arc from Ferrier nearly two minutes later gave the Panthers a lofty 45-19 lead.

Chapman kept building on their own lead, responding with baskets anytime the Owls scored. Freshman Kian Nader finished UMPI off with the only and-one of the game, draining his layup while being fouled and sinking the free throw to hand the Panthers their final 39-point lead.

Rogat racked up his 17 points in just 17 minutes off the bench, adding two rebounds, two steals and two blocks to his stat line. Besse grabbed eight rebounds while putting up four points. White and sophomore Daniel Foldes each scored eight points in the dominant win.

The Panthers return to Hutton Sports Center tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. as they host the University of Dallas in another non-conference matchup.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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