Boyd’s Era at Chapman Begins With 80-79 Victory

ORANGE —  The so-called “Bob Boyd Era” started very calmly at Chapman College Monday, only to have the first night end with a flourish.

Boyd, who coached at Santa Ana College (now Rancho Santiago), USC and Mississippi State, had retired in 1986. He came back to work as the interim coach at Riverside College last season, then took the Chapman job last spring.

Monday night, he slowly walked into the gym, hands in pockets. He smiled as he talked with friends in the stands. His casual demeanor lasted another five minutes--until tipoff.

Then he watched, not so casually, as his Panthers fell behind Chico State by 10 points in the opening three minutes of play.

But Roger Middleton capped a second-half comeback with a three-point play with 26 seconds left to give Chapman an 80-79 victory in front of about 750 in a nonconference game.

Middleton, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Tustin High School, scored 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the field. He was 10 of 13 from the free-throw line.

Middleton also led the team with an impressive 18 rebounds.

Chico State led, 78-74, with 1:31 left, but Chris Martin made a three-pointer for Chapman to cut the lead to 78-77 with 1:20 left. Martin finished with 15 points.

Chico State, attempting to work the ball around saw Darius Henderson make a steal at the top of the key with 50 seconds left.

The Panthers smartly worked the ball to Middleton as he broke free along the right side of the key. He took the pass, scored a layup and was fouled with 26 seconds left.

Middleton’s free throw gave Chapman an 80-78 advantage.

Terry Grundy could only make one of two free throws with eight seconds left to bring Chico State (2-1) to within 80-79.

Chapman missed the front ends of two one-and-ones in the final eight seconds, but Chico State’s Pat Condon missed a 30-footer at the buzzer. Condon finished with 20 points.

“My guys thought they did a good job tonight,” Boyd said. “They’re in the locker room celebrating. But this game indicated we have a long way to go to be a better team. I know one thing, this team will get much better by February.”

Chico State employed a full-court press from the start and opened a 15-5. The Panthers rallied behind Middleton’s 21 first-half points to cut the halftime margin to 46-42.

Kevin Stafford had consecutive baskets early in the second half to give Chapman a 51-50 lead. After that, neither team led by more than four points the rest of the way.

Chapman Notes

The women’s volleyball team earned a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs, the college announced Monday. The Panthers (27-5), who finished second in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn., play at UC Riverside at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1.