Huge first half gives Panthers fourth straight win

ORANGE, Calif. - After nearly a month on the road, the Chapman University women's basketball team returned home with a 68-54 victory over the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Saturday night. The Panthers posted a 50-point first half en route to the victory. It was the tenth consecutive victory for the Panthers on their own floor.

Chapman (10-6) came out on fire in the first half, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 63.6 percent beyond the arc. Freshman Mary Petrie led the three-point attack with 3-for-4 shooting behind the three-point line in the first half and went on to score 14 points as one of two Panthers in double digits. Linda Ly posted a game-high 16 points with 14 coming in Chapman's monster first half.

In addition to the high offensive output, the Panthers defense also contributed to the 50-31 halftime lead. Claremont (6-4) was held to only one field goal in a ten minute span in the first half. The Panthers active defense forced 13 turnovers in the opening half.

The second half was a defensive battle as both teams shot 20 percent or less from the field. The Athenas chipped away at the Panthers lead by getting to the line 27 times in the second half but were never able to get closer then 14. Three Athenas reached double digits, led by Aria Krumwiede with 13 points.

Chapman will be back in action tomorrow when they host Cal Lutheran University at the Harold Hutton Sports Center at 3 p.m.