Chapman Thwarts Comeback Effort to Defeat CMS Women's Basketball

CLAREMONT, Calif. - In the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team's final regular season home game, the Athenas fought hard to recover from a slow start and pull within striking distance late in the second half but ultimately fell short as the Chapman Panthers were able to hold on down the stretch to earn a 63-47 win on Saturday evening at Roberts Pavilion.

With the loss, CMS slips to 10-13 overall on the season and 7-7 in the SCIAC, while Chapman improves to 9-11 overall and 8-5 in league play with the win.

It was Senior Day for the programs four seniors: Flora Durgerian, Elizabeth Howell-Egan, Jocelyn Song and Jane Baldwin, who were all were honored pregame while being accompanied by their families

Gwen Gilmore led the Athenas with 10 points, tying her career high, to go along with seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks off the bench. Sadie Heckman had eight points, to go along with three steals while Durgerian and Grace Florendo both added eight points apiece for the Athenas. CMS was shorthanded while missing their leading scorer and rebounder in Austyn Masuno. 

CMS came out strong in the second half, as Heckman converted two free throws late in the third to trim a 22-point halftime deficit into single digits at nine points, 44-35, with 1:43 remaining in the period. However, Zoe Zurwith made a jumpshot to push Chapmans lead back up 13, 50-37 with 18 seconds left in the third period and the Athenas were unable to come any closer in the fourth. 

CMS will look to get back to its winning ways as it travels to take on the Cal Lutheran Regals on Wednesday at 7 p.m.