Chapman, on a Streak, Plays Point Loma

After only five games, the Chapman College men’s basketball team already has accomplished something it failed to do last season.

The Panthers have two straight victories. It’s a modest winning streak, to be sure. But when considering last season’s 7-20 record, any winning streak deserves some mention.

Chapman, which plays Point Loma Nazarene College at 7:30 tonight in Hutton Sports Center, had two victories in the Chapman/Doubletree Tournament against Susquehanna and Scramento State last weekend.

The 74-73 overtime victory over Sacramento State was a reversal of last season’s final when the the Panthers lost by 18 points.

This time, Chapman rallied from a 13-point, second-half deficit. Chris Perine, a transfer from Santa Rosa Junior College, made two free throws with nine seconds remaining to give the Panthers the victory.

“It was a real good morale builder for our program to win that game,” Chapman Coach Kevin Wilson said. “It’s unlike what we’ve been doing in the past.”

In contrast to their first three games, the Panthers are playing better defensively. Chapman had been allowing 89 points per game. But in the tournament, Susquehana scored 38 points in the opener and Sacramento State 73. Chapman also had the rebounding edge in both games.

All of Chapman’s starters are scoring in double figures. Karl Tompkins, who was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds, and Kelly Huston leads the team with a 17.8 average.

Clayton Williams, a 6-6 junior forward leads Point Loma (4-0).