Chapman Takes Step Backward With Loss to San Bernardino

Chapman came to Cal State San Bernardino Friday ready to take a step toward shedding its two-year hold on last place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn.

San Bernardino, in its first season in the CCAA, was picked to finish last in the conference in a poll of the coaches.

Chapman, picked to finish seventh in the eight-team conference, wound up losing, 65-59, in front of a near-capacity crowd of 875.

Although Chapman led by three points at the half and by two with eight minutes left in the game, the Panthers wilted under the defensive pressure of the Coyotes and lost their seventh consecutive conference game.

Develle Walker scored 26 points, 18 in the second half, for the Coyotes (7-7, 1-0 in the CCAA). Walker’s six three-point shots, especially the five in the second half, were the most damaging blows to Chapman. Chapman Coach Bob Boyd said the Panthers didn’t do a great job defending the Coyotes outside shots, but he was more concerned with his team’s 24 turnovers.

“I thought we played poorly,” Chapman Coach Bob Boyd said. “Our playmaking was erratic and our turnovers continue to be a problem. Our field-goal shooting wasn’t good.

“It was one of our poorest games.”

Despite the sloppy play, the Panthers (5-8, 0-1) were in the game midway through the second half when Frantz Reyes’ shot at the eight-minute mark gave them a 47-45 lead.

But Michael Foster countered with a three-point shot that started an 8-0 run that was finished by Walker’s three-pointer, which gave the Coyotes a 53-47 lead with 6:59 to play.

Chapman got as close as four points behind on a basket by Reyes, who scored a team-high 16 points, with four minutes left.