Orange, Calif. - The Chapman University Panthers used a strong second-half push, over the final 16 minutes of play to distance themselves from the Golden Eagles, and handing them a 49-80 defeat. Trailing 36-38, the Golden Eagles were held to just 13 points over the final 16:07, and outscored 42-13 in that span. La Sierra defeated the Panthers, 73-70, for their only win of the season, in the first meeting between the two teams. The team drops to 1-7 on the season and will play one more non-conference game before opening Cal Pac play next weekend.

After trailing by as many as 16 point in the first half of play, the Golden Eagles clawed their way back and trimmed the lead to 36-28 by the halftime buzzer. The momentum carried over to the first four minutes of the second half, as the Golden Eagles used an 8-2 run to pull within two points. La Sierra had three chances to tie or take the lead, but were unable to capitalize, before the team went cold and were eventually buried by the Panthers.

Kenny Lewis led the team with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kyle Hamilton added 12 points and five rebounds, while DJ Everage pitched in eight points off of the bench.

The men's basketball team will host Westcliff University on Wednesday evening, at 430pm. The Golden Eagles will open Cal Pac play on Saturday evening when they play host to the University of Antelope Valley.