Chapman Wins Game That Has 15 Technical Fouls

Chapman College defeated Mansfield (Pa.), 101-93, in overtime Wednesday night at Orange in a basketball game that had 15 technical fouls called in the final 44 seconds of the second half.

Chapman 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 called for 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, made 14 of 16 free throws. Chapman’s Andre Hill made nine of 14 shots, and Chapman’s lead was cut to 82-77.

“I believe that 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.”

Los hit a three-point field goal with 11 seconds left to tie the score, 84-84. In overtime, Henderson put the Mountaineers (2-9) away quickly with four free throws and then scored on a layup to give Chapman (6-2) the lead.

The Panthers hit 43 of 60 free throws for the game. Mansfield hit 24 of 28.

“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.”

Mansfield, which was playing its third game in six nights, led, 34-32, at halftime. Chapman appeared listless through most of the half and made numerous mistakes.

The Panthers trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half. Chapman turned 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 Joe Bergmann the ball.