Stags snap Panther streak at 17

   After the two rivals battled it out again, the Panthers were left behind in a frustrating loss that snapped a home winning record.

   The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags (8-0) handled Chapman up and down the court in a 57-45 loss in the Hutton Sports Center Wednesday night. The last time Chapman lost on its home court was 17 home games ago, Dec. 5, 2009, to the Stags. Claremont's preseason All-American Chris Blees was held to 12 points, but the Panthers turned the ball over a whopping 16 times and allowed the Stags 13 more free throws. Chapman shot an abysmal 15.4 percent from behind the arc to fall to 4-4.

   "My personal beliefs are that I don't like terrorists. After that come turnovers and after that whiners and beggars," said Head Coach Mike Bokosky. "Our team needs to stay on task and not panic."

   The Panthers hung with the Stags, picked to win the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, until midway through the first half. It didn't get ugly until the second half, largely thanks to senior forward and center Ben Ricard's aggressive rebounding and sophomore forward Nick Dragovich's lane-driving ability. Dragovich would lead the team with 12 points as well as two boards, a steal and a block. Ricard nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

   "Like the last seven games, we didn't come out strong in the first half," Ricard said. "We tried to match the intensity. Some nights it's not going to happen."

   The Panthers struggled with a tough schedule this season and the Stags have reeled off win after win to top the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

   "Mike [Bokosky] always does a good job. This team is physical and plays tough defense," said Claremont Head Coach Kevin Scalmanini. "This win is truly one of our most important. Also this is one of my best teams."

   With the loss, the Panthers have won two of their last six games. A two-game home stand against Cal Lutheran and University of Redlands might be the turning point for the young squad – or it might bury it deeper.

   "You can't expect the world from a young team," senior guard Brandon Lin said. "Defense is still hurting us. We made a few good stops tonight, but we can't take possessions off."