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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University’s men’s basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Division III Independents West Region Postseason Tournament beating the University of Dallas 84-54 Friday night at Hutton Center. The Panthers are seeking their third consecutive DIII Independents Postseason Tournament championship. No. 2-seeded Chapman (19-7) used a big second half to distance itself from an eight-point first half lead with lots of help from the bench. The Panthers’ bench outscored No. 3-seeded Dallas’ bench 32-6, including a career-high 16 points from freshman G Max Piner in just 12 minutes. Piner finished 4-for-4 in three-point field goals and added five rebounds. Freshman F Justin Riley pitched in nine points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Panthers were led by senior G Miguel Bennett’s game-high 18 points. The Crusaders were led by Joe Packard who scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jeff Pritchard and Jim Norton helped out with 11 points each for Dallas (11-14). Chapman will play fourth-seeded U.C. Santa Cruz in the championship game on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Hutton Center. A win would give the Panthers three consecutive 20-win seasons – a first under head coach Mike Bokosky. Dallas will face No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Prairie Wolves were upset in the tournament opener by Santa Cruz, 68-62. ### Game stats available online: |
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