Chapman Wins a Game With 15 Technical Fouls

Chapman College defeated Mansfield College of Pennsylvania, 101-93, in overtime Wednesday night at Chapman in a game in which 15 technical fouls were called with 44 seconds to play in the second half.

Chapman (6-2) led, 73-60, when Mansfield’s Tom Los sank a three-point field goal. After the ball went through the net, the Panthers’ Darius Henderson and the Mountaineers’ Tony Budzik began to shove each other.

Both benches cleared and, although no punches were thrown, referees assessed 15 bench technicals, which call for two shots apiece.

Chapman was assessed eight technicals and Mansfield seven, one for each player who left the bench.

“We did just as we have been instructed to at our clinics,” referee Al Hackney said. “We enforced the leaving the bench rule, which says that two free throws will be shot for each player leaving the bench to come to a skirmish.”

Budzik, who was fourth in the nation in free throw shooting among Division II players last season, made 14 of 16 free throws.

Andre Hill then made nine of 14 shots for the Panthers and Chapman’s lead was cut to 82-77.

“I believe it was a lot more of a scuffle than a fight,” Chapman Coach Bob Boyd said. “But Al chose to enforce the rule. If we had lost the game, I probably would have been standing here screaming about the officiating.”

Chapman almost lost. Los made a three-point field goal with 11 seconds left to tie the score, 84-84. Henderson missed a shot at the buzzer and the game went to overtime.

But Henderson put the Mountaineers (2-9) away quickly in the extra period. He made four free throws and then scored on a layup to give Chapman the lead. The Panthers then made seven of eight free throws in the final 1:37.

“I’m real proud of the way we played in overtime,” Boyd said. “It would have been real easy for our kids to just give up after what happened.”

The Panthers made 43 of 60 free throws for the game and Mansfield was 24 of 28. Budzik made 17 of 20 free throws and scored 17 points.

“It was the strangest game I’ve ever been a part of,” Mansfield Coach Tom Ackerman said.

The Mountaineers were playing their third game in six days, but it was the Panthers who appeared tired at the start. Mansfield led, 34-32, at halftime. Chapman appeared listless through most of the half and made numerous mistakes, turning the ball over six times in the first seven minutes.

With the score tied, 10-10, Mansfield went on a 16-6 run. The Mountaineers made three three-point field goals during the run, two by Mark Timko.

For the most part, the Mountaineers were content to work their half-court offense and try to get the ball to Joe Bergmann.

Bergmann, the team’s leading scorer with an average of 18 points a game, made five of 12 shots and had 14 points at halftime. By contrast, the rest of the Mountaineers combined for only 12 shots.

Bergman was 13 of 28 for the game and finished with 33 points.

Timko’s second three-pointer gave Mansfield a 26-16 lead with 6:05 left in the half. From that point, Rog Middleton and Frantz Reyes, the Panthers’ two best inside players, took over.

Reyes scored off a rebound and then on the fast break to cut the deficit to six. Middleton then scored six of the Panthers next 12 points, including a slam off a lob pass.

Middleton had 12 points and Reyes eight at halftime.

The score reamined close throughout the second half, but Chapman pulled away in the final 10 minutes. Trailing, 53-50, Chapman scored 15 consecutive points to take a 65-53 lead.

It was the Panthers’ defense that keyed the run. They held the Mountaineers scoreless for 5:45 before Vernon Abris scored on a tipin with 3:42 left.

Von Shuler, who had 20 points, made three steals during that stretch. He also scored seven consecutive points, including a layup that gave the Panthers a 65-53 lead with 3:42 left.

Middleton continued to dominate inside during the second half and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. He also had a career-high six assists.

With Middleton clogging the middle, the Panthers were able to gamble more on defense. They had 11 steals for the game.

“I felt our defense turned things around for us,” Boyd said. “We got control of the game by forcing them into mistakes. At least until the end.”