Chapman Follows a Familiar Pattern by Falling Down the Stretch

Continuing a trend of losing late leads, Chapman went without a field goal in the final three minutes and Menlo rallied from five points back to win, 69-60, in a nonconference men’s basketball game Friday at Chapman.

The Panthers (9-9) occasionally have been stung this season by poor play, losing three games they seemed to be controlling late.

This time, the crash wasn’t quite the same, Chapman Coach Mike Bokosky said.

“It was different from the other games, when we made turnovers and missed free throws,” Bokosky said. “This time we just couldn’t score in the last few minutes of the game.”

The result was just as painful. “It’s frustrating, disappointing and depressing, all in the same breath,” said senior forward Jim Falletta, who scored a team-high 14 points.

It could have been different. Chapman, which trailed, 32-18, after its least productive first half of the season, fell behind even further early in the second half. Menlo (9-9) led by 19 with 18 minutes 25 seconds left.

Chapman then started the long climb back, outscoring the Oaks, 13-4, in the next five minutes. Soon after the Panthers, who missed their first 18 three-point shots, finally made one. Derek Mitchell’s shot pulled them within nine, 45-36, at the 12:07 mark.

Chapman made five more three-pointers in the next six-plus minutes (Mark LaBelle made two of them) to take a 57-52 lead with 4:45 left. Greg Vanden Ordel’s basket at 3:27 made it 59-54, but Chapman only managed one free throw the rest of the way.