Winless Panthers drop fifth straight

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University women's basketball team remained winless on the young 2009-10 season with a 70-50 defeat at the hands of visiting Holy Names University on Friday night at the Hutton Sports Center. The Panthers' five-game losing streak to start the year is the school's longest since Chapman moved to NCAA Division III in 1994.

After falling behind quickly 3-0 on a three-pointer by Chapman's Casey Gomez, Holy Names (5-6) controlled the game from there. The Hawks opened up a 9-9 tie with the start of a 27-10 run midway through the first half. That run helped Holy Names build its biggest lead of the half at 17 points with 4:30 remaining.

Chapman (0-5) would cut the lead to 10 points at halftime and then down to five at 42-37 with 16:37 left in the second half, but the Panthers went scoreless over the next 6:12 and never got closer. Chapman's cold streak came in the midst to a second half in which the Panthers made just six field goals and shot 20 percent from the field (6-for-30). The Hawks' advantage grew to double digits during that span before winning by 20.

The Panthers shot a season-low 25 percent from the floor in the game (15-for-60).

The Hawks were led by Katie Stiles who scored 21 points, including five three-pointers. Jamie-Leigh Ronolo pitched in 14 points and Suman Bains grabbed 15 rebounds for Holy Names, which out-rebounded the Panthers by 17 in the game.

Meanwhile, Chapman sophomore G Mary Petrie was 8-for-8 from the free throw line to lead the Panthers with eight points. Senior G Linda Ly also had eight points and junior F Simone Ibbotson grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Panthers will try to snap their six-game losing streak that dates back to last season at home against Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) on Saturday afternoon.

Box Score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2009-10/stats/hnu-cu.htm