Shutdown defense takes Athenas past Chapman

ORANGE, Calif. – In the second game of the stacked week for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team, CMS came away with the 50-47 victory over Chapman. CMS (10-6, 6-1) scored consistently throughout the game, once again dominating in the paint. Each Athena in the game made at least a basket while the team's defense held Chapman's top players to a combined 13 points.

Senior Jai Dungca (CMC) started out hot with a 3-pointer from the corner in the Athenas' first possession. Solid defense kept the score low for the first six minutes of play until CMS put up eight unanswered points. A jumper by CU's Lauren Sato at the end of the period only brought the Panthers' total up to eight points.

In the second, the Athenas were less successful shooting but nabbed 10 boards in the period. After a well-placed timeout, CMS put together a seven point run to take the 24-15 lead. Junior Kailee Severt (CMC) got it started with a layup at the end of the shot clock, assisted by senior Kris Brackmann (CMC). In the two minutes sophomore Kiki Yang (CMC) spent on the court in the second quarter, she played excellent defense and then pulled up a 3-point jump shot, ultimately going 1-for-1 on the day.

After the break, CMS traded baskets with Chapman as Sato, Jaime Hum-Nishikado, and Megan Charles all put in baskets to come within two points at 29-27. That would be the one and only bucket for Hum-Nishikado and one of two for Charles as the pair was 3-for-18 on the night.

The Athenas pulled away from the Panthers once again, made possible by their staunch defense. Freshman Gloria Bates (CMC) was 2-for-2 in the game including a spectacular put back at the buzzer to close out the third quarter.

At the 7:15 mark in the fourth quarter, CMS had a 12-point lead. To Chapman's credit, the Panthers persisted and clawed their way back into the game as the time wound down due to shooting 90 percent from the foul line. Ultimately, the Athenas held onto their narrow 50-47 lead as Chapman threw up two desperation 3-pointers in the final seconds.

Brackmann facilitated the offense with five assists while adding eight points of her own. Seniors Aly Young (CMC) and Quinn Glosniak (CMC) led with nine and seven rebounds respectively.

With the win, the Athenas remain at the top of the SCIAC standings at 6-1. To finish up the three-game week, CMS heads out to Cal Lutheran (9-6, 5-1) on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a double header with the men's team starting at 5 p.m.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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