Sverkos Steals Game for Chapman

Pete Sverkos stole the ball from Mark Sebek and scored with two seconds left in overtime to lead Chapman to an 81-79 victory over UC San Diego in the Panthers’ final home game of the season.

The Tritons called time out with 16 seconds left and the score tied to set up a final shot. Their plans were ruined when Sverkos knocked the ball away cleanly and scored a layup to win it.

The Panthers overcame a 16-point deficit with 10 minutes left in regulation when Toby Curto hit a three-pointer with two seconds left in regulation to tie the score, 73-73.

“We played solid defense and kept ourselves out of foul trouble,” said Coach Mike Bokosky, noting that the Tritons took 38 free throws to the Panthers’ 12 in Chapman’s 91-83 loss to the Tritons last month. Chapman committed only one foul in the second half.

Chapman (14-9) took a 37-34 lead at halftime, limiting Triton center Matt Aune, who had been averaging nearly 26 points and 12.2 rebounds, to three field goals and three rebounds the first 20 minutes.

The Tritons (15-7) entered the game winning 10 of their last 11 and threatened to blow the game away early in the second half. The Tritons scored the first 14 points of the second half with Michael McMillan scoring two three-pointers and Aune matching his entire first-half output with six points and three rebounds.

The Tritons built a 61-45 lead with 10 minutes left before Chapman rebounded.

Sverkos and Curto led the Panthers with 18 points each. Aune finished with 22 for the Tritons.