Fantastic freshmen fly past slugs

ORANGE, Calif — Men's basketball finished its pre-break slate perfect with a convincing 92-70 win over UC Santa Cruz, after dropping its last contest against the Banana Slugs 85-81 to open the season.

Chapman's freshmen Cruz Billings and Jake Heberle were lights out from the field scoring 28 and 27 points respectively shooting a combined 76% from the field, with Billings shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the field. 

Billings was the first player in Chapman history to shoot 100% from the field while taking over eight attempts in a game. 

Heberle also posted the best three-point percentage in a game in school history (requiring seven attempts) making 88% of his tries — 7-of-8. This record tops Landon Lewis's record of 80% set in 2002 (8-for-10).

The Panthers got off to a hot start early and never trailed. Heberle hit his first three treys, scoring nine of the first 12 points helping Chapman jump out to an early 20-10 lead only five minutes in.

Chapman went into the break leading 49-36 and never looked back, leading by as much as 29 points in the second half.

Aside from the fantastic freshmen's performances, Blakeley Stoughton finished with 17 points. And Heberle was only one rebound away from a double-double bringing down nine boards.

The Panthers get a week off and will return to play Bethesda at Hutton on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Chapman enters into the holiday break with a 5-4 record overall and 0-2 record in SCIAC play.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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