Turnovers key Chapman win over Trinity

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University women's basketball team forced 24 turnovers in defeating Trinity University 73-68 in a non-conference game at the Hutton Sports Center on Wednesday afternoon. The win marks Panthers head coach Carol Jue's 199th career win as a Division III head coach.

Chapman's 8-2 record to open the season is its best 10-game start since the 2007-08 season when the Panthers begin the year 9-1.

Although holding the lead the entire second half, the Panthers let the visiting Tigers come within three points with 3 minutes to play in the game. Freshman F Sandra Gao quickly responded to the Tigers' heavy pressure with two jumpers and a free throw to take a 71-63 lead with 1:21 remaining.

Gao earned her fourth double-double of the season finishing the game with a career-high 14 rebounds and 13 points, while also adding three steals and another career-high in four assists.

Chapman was able to control the floor in the first half after an 11-0 run that ended with 8 minutes on the clock to gain a 10-point advantage on Trinity (5-3). The Panthers, who finished the game with 21 points off turnovers, had 15 of those points come in the first half. The half ended with the Panthers' largest lead of the game at 35-24.

Starters came out strong for the Panthers with four scoring over 10 points in the game. Senior G Emily McCoy added a team-high 15 points along with seven rebounds, two steals and a block. Junior G Kimi Takaoka pitched in 14 points of her own for Chapman.

Junior F Murphy Burns led Trinity's offense with a game-high 24 points that included four triples and shooting 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Senior F Jana Tucker added on a team-high seven rebounds and junior F Libby Kruse finished with three assists, three steals, and a block.

Jue will look to hit the 200-win mark on the road as the Panthers return from the holiday break on Dec. 28 to play Marian University (WI) at the University of Redlands. This will be the first of a five-game stretch away from the Hutton Center for the Panthers.

by Bogart Avila & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/boxscores/20121219_rvyj.xml

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