Chapman Edges Athenas in Double OT Thriller for SCIAC Tourney Title

CLAREMONT, Calif. - It was a fitting end to the SCIAC women's basketball season. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Chapman finished the regular season tied with identical 15-1 conference records. Their only losses coming to one another during a regular season series split. So it was fitting that the two heavyweights duked it out for 40 minutes of regulation and then two overtime periods in the SCIAC Tournament Championship. When the dust settled, the Athenas were on the wrong end of a 70-61 decision.

CMS recorded a pair of clutch shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime period to keep their hopes of a championship alive. With the Athenas trailing by two with just seven seconds left in regulation, Kate Parrish (CMC) collected her own miss and finished a layup to tie the game at 43-43 and force an extra period.

Once again, CMS trailed at the end of the first overtime period. With the Athenas down 53-50 Corinne Bogle (CMC) proceeded to knock down the only three of the game for CMS to tie the score at 53-53. Chapman got the look they wanted with seconds left on the clock, but the jumper was off the mark and the game headed to a second overtime.

The late game magic ran out for the Athenas as the Panthers did not miss a shot in the second overtime period. The strong shooting effort but Chapman up 63-57 with just over a minute to play in the period. A quick layup from Lindsey Cleary (CMC) cut the lead to just four points at 63-59 with a minute to play. On the next possession, Chapman's Jaryn Fajardo hit a backbreaking three as the shot clock sounded to but the Panthers up by seven. Two free throws from Corinne Bogle (CMC) brought CMS within five again, but Chapman converted four times from the free throw line to claim the title 70-61.

As mentioned, the game was back-and-forth throughout and featured eight lead changes and 11 ties. Neither team led by more than seven points, until Chapman's free throws in the final seconds of the second overtime.

Maya Love (CMC) and Kate Parrish (CMC) each went for impressive double-doubles. Love finished with 15 points and 19 rebounds while Parrish went for 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

With Chapman earning the Automatic Qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, the Athenas will now wait to see if they are awarded a rare at-large bid to the dance. The NCAA Selection Show begins on Monday at 11:30 a.m. You can find links to the selection show here.