Chapman leads all the way, gets first win

ORANGE, Calif. - What a difference a day makes. Less than 24 hours after the Chapman University women's basketball team fell to 0-5 and shot just 25 percent from the field, the Panthers rebounded with their first win of the year an 80-71 victory over visiting Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.) at Hutton Center on Saturday afternoon.

The win was typical of what Chapman has become known for in recent years; high-energy defense that forced 35 opponent turnovers on Saturday, earned 17 steals as a team and the Panthers shot better than 46 percent from the field in the game.

Chapman (1-5) led from start to finish aided by the fact that Pacific Lutheran was shutout during the first 7:45 of play in the first half. During that time the Panthers built a 13-point lead and extended it to 19 on a basket by junior G Tara Glennon with 6:23 to play before the half. The Lutes cut the lead to 10, but a layup by Chapman sophomore G Mary Petrie at the buzzer made it 35-23 Panthers at halftime.

The Panthers pushed their lead to as many as 22 points midway through the second half and only twice did Pacific Lutheran cut the deficit to single digits after that. Junior G Simone Ibbotson earned a season-high 20 points and added five rebounds for Chapman. Four Panthers in all reached double figures: senior G Linda Ly (14 points), Glennon (12) and Petrie (10). Junior G Casey Gomez added five assists and six steals to benefit Chapman.

Pacific Lutheran dropped its fifth consecutive game of the season. The Lutes were led by G Shelly Kilcup who had a game-high 23 points and added six steals. Meghan Dowling earned a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, as well.

Chapman's win snapped a six-game losing streak dating back to last season and improves the Panthers' home record to 1-2 this year.

Box Score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2009-10/stats/plu-cu.htm