Chapman sends seniors off with a win

ORANGE, Calif. -  In the final home game of the regular season, the Chapman University men's basketball team collected its 12th consecutive victory on Saturday night in an 80-63 win over U.C. Santa Cruz at the Hutton Center.  Four of the Panthers' starting five earned double-digits in scoring as Chapman defeated the Banana Slugs for the third time this season.

The Panthers (22-2) had a strong start, leading 14-5 in the first 3 minutes of play following a pair of three-pointers by junior G Griffin Ramme. Chapman went on to lead by as many as 17 points with under 4 minutes remaining in the period. However, the Slugs came back with an 8-2 run to conclude the first half and cut the Chapman lead to 41-30 at halftime.

Senior G Kyle Wood junior F Justin Riley helped Chapman begin the second half with a 17-1 run and extend its lead to 26 points. Wood scored six of his 14 points and Riley added a pair of field goals during the rally. Riley finished with 17 points and led all players with eight rebounds and two blocks. The Panthers cruised from that point, winning for the eighth time in nine home games this season and finishing with a 17-1 record against Division III opponents.

On ‘Senior Night', the Panthers' seniors Wood, Jared Kaiser and Dan Aguilar did not shy from the spotlight. The trio were honored in a pre-game ceremony and combined for a total of 29 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. It was a junior though who led Chapman in scoring as Ramme finished with 20 points, including four three-pointers.

With a current No. 12 Division III ranking, Chapman will appear in its final regular-season game on Friday, Feb. 19 at West Coast Baptist at 7:30 p.m. and await announcement of its playoff fate from the NCAA selection committee on ‘Selection Sunday', Feb. 28.

by Linsday Jones & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/stats/ucsc-cu2.htm