Cal Lutheran 71, Chapman 61
CLU wins against all odds
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The California Lutheran University women’s basketball team won is first home game of the season on Saturday night, defeating Chapman University, 71-61. The Regals, with many circumstances against them, managed to end the Panthers nine-game win streak and avenge a double-digit loss in Orange just three weeks ago.
The Regals coming into today’s game had lost a pair of close home games in overtime and by seven to a team they had beaten just two weeks earlier, along with a 19-point road loss to Chapman.
Compound those facts with an injury-plagued team that had five of its 13 players out for tonight’s game, including all three six-footers and two of team’s top three scorers. To top it off, the Panthers stormed out to a 13-4 lead just over six minutes into the first half.
The Regals defied reality and defined resiliency.
The Cal Lutheran offensive attack, which had scored just 95 points combined in its previous two games, came alive at the midway point of the first half.
Following Allison Neill converting an and-one opportunity the Regals trailed, 15-11. Mary Placido pulled the team within one with her first of a perfect 3-for-3 performance from behind the arc.
CLU outscored Chapman 15-9 to end the first half and lead by five. The Panthers, who shot .375 on three-point attempts in the first meeting, managed just 1-of-12 in the first half.
The eight-player roster of CLU featured a trio of double-digit scorers in Placido, Neill and Johanna Rothermel who combined for 49 of the team’s 71 points.
Foul trouble plagued the Panthers throughout the game including its leading scorer Nicole Hayman with 18 points, and two other players fouling out. Chapman’s 31 fouls led to 37 Cal Lutheran free throws of which 23 were converted.
Chapman also out shot Cal Lutheran 77-41 overall and 31-11 from beyond the three-point line, but the Panthers managed to make just two more field goals (23-21) and both teams converted for six triples in the contest.
Cal Lutheran (2-3) will host the two-day, four-team Posada Royale Tournament starting on Monday, December 17 at 1 pm. The Regals will face CSU East Bay at 3 pm, following the tournament opener of William Smith (NY) College and George Fox (OR) University at 1 pm.
BOX SCORE: CLU 71, CHAP 61 F
