Top-Ranked Chapman Women Win Again

The Chapman College women’s basketball team played a strong second half Saturday to defeat Cal State Northridge, 70-55, in a California Collegiate Athletic Assn. game in Orange.

Chapman, ranked No. 1 in the nation among NCAA Division II teams, improved its record to 15-2 overall and 4-0 in the CCAA. The Panthers jumped out to a 16-2 lead, but the Matadors rallied for a 25-24 advantage in the first half.

At halftime, Chapman had reclaimed a 35-32 lead, and the Panthers went on to win behind Leone Patterson’s 20 points and Delisa Carter’s 17. The Matadors, who haven’t won a conference game in their three outings this season, were led by Lori Costello’s 16 points, along with 13 rebounds by Regan O’Hara.

In other women’s collegiate action:

UC Irvine 72, UC Santa Barbara 49--The Anteaters, among the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. leaders at 2-0, simply outshot the Gauchos (2-2, 9-8) at Santa Barbara. Irvine made 51% of its shots, compared with the Gauchos’ 28% (17 of 61).

Center Cheri Graham paced the Anteaters with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks. Jackie Vander Poel added 14 points, while Erin Higashi had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.