Season comes to an end in Oregon once again

NEWBERG, Ore. - For the third time in five years, the Chapman University women's basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA Division III championships by George Fox University. This time the Bruins handed the visiting Panthers an 83-40 loss at the Wheeler Sports Center with a dominating 51-point second half that put the game out of reach.

The Bruins advance to face Oglethorpe (Ga.) in the "Sweet 16" next weekend.

George Fox (28-0) stayed perfect this season thanks a stingy defense that allowed the Panthers to shoot just 27 percent from the field in the game. The Bruins used a 22-4 run midway through the first half to capture the lead for good and enter halftime with a 32-18 advantage.

But it was a 51-point second half, 20 of those coming on free throws, that put lots of space between the No. 3-ranked Bruins and their opponents. George Fox got balanced scoring throughout its lineup with all five starters reaching double digits, but none scoring more than 12 points.

For Chapman (20-9), junior G Linda Ly and freshman G Anina Middleton each scored 10 points to pace the Panthers offensively. Senior PG Lauren Kamiyama finished with six assists in the final game of her record-breaking career.

The Panthers finish the season with at least 20 wins for the third straight year and fifth time in six seasons.