COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Chapman Rallies Past Sonoma State

Chapman rallied from a nine-point, second-half deficit and defeated Sonoma State, 90-84, in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Hutton Center.

The victory, in the Panthers’ home opener, was a nice rebound for a team that was easily handled by Claremont-Mudd in its season opener Tuesday.

Chapman Coach Mike Bokosky said he hadn’t prepared his team properly for its first game, but he apparently solved the problem Saturday.

“I think coaches sometimes aren’t in coaching shape early in the year--not physically, but mentally,” Bokosky said. “Every game is important. But this is important because we need to make sure our guys start to believe in what we want them to do.”

Something seems to be sinking in. Saturday, the Panthers (1-1) had every chance to let Sonoma State (0-3) pull away in the second half, but didn’t fold.

Sonoma State led, 40-39, at the half, but Chapman hung tough early in the second half, taking a 50-49 lead on a jump shot by Stefan Mumaw with 16 minutes 13 seconds left.

But then Sonoma State started a 16-6 run that gave the Cossacks a nine-point lead with 12:58 left. Sonoma was threatening to build its lead when Chapman made its second consecutive turnover, but Michael DeSantis missed a three-point shot on the fast break.

The Cossacks scored only one point during the next six minutes. Chapman’s 18-1 run gave the Panthers a 74-66 lead with 6:51 left.

Chapman guards Adam Dzierzynski and Toby Curto finished the spree with consecutive three-pointers.

Sonoma State cut the lead to three points with two minutes left, and was close to forcing Chapman’s 35-second clock to expire when Panther freshman Ramin Bastani rebounded a miss by Mumaw and scored as the shot clock expired.

Bastani, from Corona del Mar, was fouled and made the free throw to give Chapman an 86-80 lead with 42 seconds left.

At the Caltech men’s basketball tournament:

Pacific Christian 95, Caltech 76--Charles Ross scored 26 points to lead Pacific Christian (6-2) in the championship game. Ross was later named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Dan Shields added 15 points for Pacific Christian.

In the Humboldt State women’s basketball tournament:

Concordia 80, Concordia (Ore.) 72--Michelle Kravik had 14 points to lead Concordia (1-2).

Sarah Goodfellow was the game’s high scorer with 22 for Concordia (Ore.), which is 1-4.

In women’s volleyball:

Long Beach 3, Houston 0--Traci Dahl had 27 kills and Heather Hofmans had 55 assists as Long Beach State (25-5) swept Houston, 15-7, 16-14, 15-12, at the Long Beach Baden Blowout. Nichelle Burton also had 16 kills for the 49ers.