Down to the wire, Chapman hangs on against Cal Lu

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's basketball team trailed for most of the first half, but rallied in the second and held on in the end for a 59-58 win over visiting Cal Lutheran University at the Hutton Sports Center on Monday night. It was the Panthers third straight win and put them over .500 for the first time since winning their season opener last month.

With the game tied at 54, senior C Brandi Hood scored back-to-back layups and added a free throw which provided the margin of victory in the closing minutes.

A Regals three-pointer to open the second half gave Cal Lutheran (1-4) a seven-point lead, but Chapman (4-3) rallied for a 13-2 run to earn a 36-32 lead just under the 14-minute mark of the half. The Panthers took their biggest lead with 7:11 remaining on a pair of free throws from senior G Kelli Yamamoto. However, the Regals responded immediately with a 9-0 run to retake a two-point advantage. Over the final five minutes the teams jockeyed for position before Hood gave the Panthers the lead to stay.

Cal Lutheran rebounded a missed Chapman free throw and had a chance to tie the game with a three-point attempt in the closing seconds, but would have to settle for a two at the buzzer by Regals F Starla Wright. Wright finished with 15 points.

Three Panthers reached double figures in scoring, including Hood and junior G Mary Petrie with 10 points each off the bench. Hood grabbed nine rebounds, as well. Senior F Simone Ibbotson also finished with 10 points and three steals.

Regals G Erica Whitley finished with a game-high 17 points and four assists. Briana Parker had a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards for Cal Lu in the loss.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2010-11/files/clu-cu.htm