Strong first half leads men’s basketball to win over Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's basketball team used a strong first half to help carry them to an 82-78 victory over the visiting Redlands Bulldogs (10-6, 3-4 SCIAC) earlier this evening. The Panthers (12-4, 4-3 SCIAC) shot 55.7 percent from three-point range, led by 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc from junior Chandler White.

White was on fire from range, missing just two three-pointers. Every basket he made from the field was from beyond the arc and the forward added six free throws to tally 21 total points on the night. He also grabbed six boards and dished out three assists for a strong stat line.

Three other Panthers also scored in the double digits, with sophomores all leading the charge. Alex Rogat put up 19 points to go with his seven rebounds, Hayden Moore scored 15 points and Daniel Foldes scored 12.

Redlands took an early 11-6 lead before White hit his first three-pointer, followed by a layup from sophomore Derrick Morris to tie the game. The two sides traded leads until the 10:54 mark, when Foldes drove for a layup to give Chapman a 21-19 lead. The Panthers built on the lead with the help of a big three-pointer from junior John Besse.

Besse followed his three with a jumper to give Chapman a 10-point lead with 7:42 on the clock. The Bulldogs pulled back within five points with just over three minutes left to play, but the Panthers responded with a five-point run to end the half up 41-30.

Chapman held Redlands to 30 points for over five minutes, not allowing them to score in the final 3:18 of the first half or the first 2:44 of the second half. In that time, the Panthers built on their lead, going up by 14 points to start the second half. Chapman kept a consistent lead throughout the second half, leading by 11 with less than one minute left to play.

Redlands did not go down without a fight, though. After a free throw from White made the score 81-70, the Bulldogs charged down the court and scored an immediate three-pointer, cutting the lead to 81-73. A Chapman turnover on the baseline resulted in a Bulldogs layup just seven seconds later, making the score 81-75.

With 0:34 on the clock, the Panthers turned the ball over again on the baseline. Redlands took advantage of the mistake, hitting a three pointer to score eight points in less than 10 seconds, making the score 81-78. After a made free throw from Rogat and a turnover from Redlands, Chapman dribbled out the ball to end the exciting second half.

Freshman Sam Barela and junior Thomas Doyle controlled the flow of the game, dishing out seven and five rebounds respectively. Doyle also tallied seven rebounds and two steals in the effort.

The Panthers return to Hutton Sports Center on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. to host Caltech in the first game of a SCIAC doubleheader.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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