Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – A buzzerbeater for Chapman University Saturday night in regulation propelled them to the road victory over the Poets in OT 78-74.

This marks the fourth straight loss for the Poets as they drop to .500 at 10-10, 4-7 SCIAC.

Whittier held a two-point lead with five seconds to play following a 6-0 run capped off with an Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) layin.  Then with one final look, Chapman's John Joyce would answer as he would tap in a put back as time expired forcing the game into OT. 

In the extra period Whittier would hold a lead twice but it would be short lived as Chapman would finish the frame on a 7-2 run sparked by a three ball from Garrett James that ultimately sealed the victory for the Panthers. 

Chapman raced out to a 42-25 halftime lead but the saw tides turn in the second as the Poets would do the same led by Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) who tossed in 16 of his game high 24 points. 

Midway through the second the Poets used a 12-0 run getting buckets from four different players to pull within six.  Minutes later they would take their first lead of the game 61-60 behind a Jennings layup before CU would go back in front 65-61 with 3:00 to play.

Following a missed jumper from Nick Dragovich the Poets responded with jumpers from Tyree Landrum (Los Angeles, Calif.), Demusis, and Jennings that gave WC a two-point advantage before Joyce would secure the tap in forcing the extra period. 

Whittier shot 46% from the field and outrebounded Chapman 41-35, but also erased a 21 point deficit.  But 14 turnovers proved costly down the stretch as Chapman would add 16 points off of them en route to the victory.

Landrum joined Demusis in double figures with 19 points but also hauled in 14 rebounds barely missing a triple double as he also totaled a career high seven blocks.

Jennings was the next highest scorer with eight points on 4-9 shooting and dished out a season and game high seven assists to go with six boards.

For Chapman four players recorded double figures led by Taylor Hamasaki who tossed in 21.  He was joined by Colin Zavrsnick with 20, Joyce with 17 and Dragovich with 11.     

Whittier remains at home Wednesday, February 12 when they host La Verne beginning at 7:30pm.