Chapman Plays Its Way Into Tournament

Going into the weekend, the Chapman College men’s basketball team needed home victories over UC Riverside and Cal Poly Pomona--and a little outside help--to qualify for the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Tournament.

And Coach Kevin Wilson, whose Panthers clinched a berth with an 83-80 victory over Pomona Saturday, said he was confident all along.

“Our home record is 12-2,” Wilson said. “And we beat both teams on the road.”

The Panthers (8-6, 15-13), who beat UC Riverside 75-70 Friday, play Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the first round of the tournament Friday night at Cal Poly SLO. The Panthers qualified for the tournament only after Cal Poly San Luis Obispo defeated Cal State Northridge, 68-67, Friday.

Chapman finished in a tie for fourth place with Northridge (8-6, 12-15), but the Panthers advanced because they had a better overall record.

Still, Wilson didn’t hesitate to start five seniors, including three who had seen limited playing time this season.

The Panthers responded with a 16-6 run to start the game.

“A lot of people thought I was nuts starting guys that have more DNPs (did not play) than games played, but look how we started,” Wilson said. “Those guys we’re fired up.”

In the stretch, Paul Rollins, who played in only five of the Panthers’ first 13 conference games, scored seven points. Guard Jim Saia, who had played in six CCAA games, scored five points.

But Pomona used a 12-2 burst against the Panther regulars to get back into the game.

Chapman, which dominated inside, took the lead again, thanks to 10 first-half points from center Karl Tompkins. He finished with 17 points.

The Broncos (4-10, 11-16) closed the gap to one at halftime, 40-39, on a three-point shot from guard Bill Dobbs.

Though Chapman led most of the second half, Dobbs kept Pomona in the game. He scored 34 points, making a conference record 19 free throws on 20 attempts.

Down the stretch, though, Chapman made the clutch shots. Forward Dave Roth, who scored 18 points, made four three-point shots in the second half. He made one to give the Panthers a 74-71 lead with 4:22 left, and another to give Chapman a 79-75 lead at 2:21.

The Panthers sealed the victory with free throws in the last minute, including two by Roth to give Chapman an 82-75 lead.