COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Chapman Uses Two Big Runs to Top Claremont

Chapman had little difficulty building a big lead early against Claremont College on Tuesday night but holding on to it proved to be much tougher.

The Panthers finally emerged with an 83-74 victory in Orange to run their record to 7-4.

Chapman took a 15-2 lead on Greg Reynolds’ three-point basket with 14:52 left in the first half and cruised to a 38-31 halftime lead. In the second half, Claremont made a 23-7 run and led 54-44 with 14:29 left in the game as Stag forward Chris Fosse scored eight consecutive points.

“We went from seven up to 10 down quicker than any team I’ve ever been associated with,” said Panther Coach Mike Bokosky. “They’re strong inside. They’re good players.”

With Claremont (3-5) leading 58-57 on Fosse’s basket with 9:05 remaining, the Panthers went on a 14-3 run for a 71-61 lead with 5:53 left. A pair of three-point baskets by Anthony Gonzales and a three-point play by Umahl Anderson highlighted the run. Chapman’s free-throw shooting down the stretch preserved the lead.

Stefan Mumaw and Anderson led Chapman with 16 and 14 points. Fosse and former Laguna Beach standout Darren Gravley led Claremont with 20 and 18 points.