Panthers clinch No. 1 seed behind Taylor’s double-double

Orange, Calif. - The Chapman University men's basketball team clinched at least a share of the regular season SCIAC title with its 87-72 win over Cal Lutheran. Sophomore James Taylor dropped a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

This win also gives the Panther's the NO. 1 seed in the SCIAC tournament which allows Chapman to host the first round of the SCIAC tournament beginning on Friday, Feb. 26.

Taylor had three quick buckets to give the Panthers an early 11-5 lead. Cal Lutheran managed to hang around and give Chapman problems closing in on the Panthers 21-20 lead at the 10 minute mark. 

Cal Lu's Justin Kam kept the Kingsmen in striking distance with nine points off the bench.  It was a back and forth battle until sophomore Tyler Green hit a three pointer with just under three minutes left in the first half to extend Chapman's lead to nine 40-31.  Cal Lutheran responded with a three pointer of its own to end the first half.  The Panthers ended the half leading 44-39.

The Panthers continued to look to Taylor in the second half as they pounded the ball in down low to the post. Green hit a three pointer mid way through the second half, to jumpstart the Panthers offensively and spark a 7-0 run extending Chapman's lead 66-48.

Junior Luke Hamlin contributed 19 points and five assists while senior Davis Dragovich had seven points and eight rebounds.  Junior James Griffin came off the bench contributing seven points and five rebounds.

Chapman will return home on Tuesday, February 23 for the Panthers senior day and final regular season home game of the season against Claremont-M-S. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

by Drew DeMarco & Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Assistant

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