Middleton, Reyes Help Get Chapman Past Biola, 85-80

The Chapman College men’s basketball team fought off a strong challenge from Biola and won, 85-80, Saturday night at the Hutton Center.

Chapman has six victories without a loss at home this season.

When Biola’s 6-foot-10 center Emilio Kovacic opened the game with a dunk on an alley-oop pass from Rodney Camper, it appeared as if Panthers would have trouble defending inside. Kovacic scored 22 points before fouling out with 1:13 remaining.

Biola (12-5) also hurt the Panthers from the outside. Doug Newby, a junior from Whittier Christian, had 19 points, including two three-point baskets and two three-point plays after being fouled while attempting a three-pointer.

But Chapman rallied twice in each half and took control with a 9-0 run in the second half for 53-45 lead with about 14 minutes left.

Despite being guarded by Kovacic much of the game, 6-4 forward Rog Middleton scored a game-high 28 points, including 18 in the first half. He made 13 of 15 shots from the field and had 11 rebounds.

However, Middleton committed his fourth foul with 13:15 remaining and sat out the next seven minutes. Frantz Reyes, who had 17 of his 21 points in the second half, and Chris Martin, who scored 13 of his 15, picked up the slack with Middleton on the bench.

Biola, ranked 24th in the latest NAIA poll, trailed 61-60 with 7:05 left but never regained the lead.

“This might be as well as we’ve played all year,” Chapman Coach Bob Boyd said. “Which is a good sign because next Friday we may have our most important game of the season.”

That day, Chapman will play host to Cal State Bakersfield, defending NCAA Division II champion, in its California Collegiate Athletic Assn. opener.