Ten equals another 20 as Chapman beats La Sierra

ORANGE, Calif. - The No. 11-ranked Chapman University men's basketball team extended its season-high winning streak to 10 with an 86-57 victory over visiting La Sierra University at Hutton Center on Saturday night. The win gives the Panthers their fifth consecutive season with at least 20 victories.

Chapman (20-2) jumped out to a fast start, leading 17-5 within the first 5 minutes of the game. Later in the half, the Panthers extended the lead to 21 on a three-pointer by sophomore G Takeshi Clifford with just under 6 minutes remaining. That three capped a 14-2 run that gave Chapman a 37-16 advantage. The Golden Eagles would never get closer than 17 points throughout the remainder of the game.

Junior F Justin Riley paced the Panthers in the first half, nearly completing a double-double in the first 20 minutes with 10 points and nine boards before halftime. Chapman shot over 65 percent from the floor in the first half and led 46-25 at the break.

In the second half, it was more of the same from the Panthers who extended their lead to as much as 31 late in the game. Junior G Griffin Ramme made a quartet of three-pointers and finished with 17 points. Riley finished the game with his 10th double-double of the season - 18 points and 14 rebounds - to lead Chapman.

Senior G Kyle Wood (11 points) scored in double figures for the seventh straight game. Clifford finished with nine points off the bench.

Chapman is currently ranked No. 11 in the nation by D3Hoops.com and No. 7 in the latest NCAA Division III West Region poll. The Panthers have just three regular season games remaining, including their last home game of the year against independent rival U.C. Santa Cruz next Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/stats/lsu-cu.htm