Stags Lose to Chapman in NCAA First Round

ORANGE, CA -- The Stags entered Wednesday night's game with hopes of traveling to Washington for the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but their hopes were cut short as Chapman University defeated CMS 58-47. Chapman will face Whitworth on Saturday, March 6.

Despite the final score, the Stags were very competitive throughout the game as there were eight ties and eleven lead changes. In the second half, the Stags took a six-point lead, but the Panthers clawed back to within two with eight minutes to go. Claremont had many opportunities to score, but they were without a field goal for the final six minutes of the game. The Stags missed most of their free throws towards the end of the game and were only 6-11 in the second half. CMS did play great defense, forcing ten steals, three blocks, and 15 turnovers. They also grabbed 27 rebounds as a team.

Joseph Anderson (SO, Lafayette) played well for the Stags with twelve points, seven rebounds, a block and a steal. Jason Toney (SR, Yorba Linda) ended his career with a bang, scoring a team-high 12 points with three rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals.

The Stags end the season with a 21-7 record, a SCIAC Championship and Tournament Championship. They led the league in scoring defense, scoring margin, defensive rebounds and rebound margin. Despite losing two starters to graduation (Jason Toney and Michael Bagby), they will return three fabulous starters which include Anderson, Patrick Lacey (JR, Orangevale) and SCIAC Player of the Year Chris Blees (JR, Carmichael).