Azusa Pacific Rolls Past Chapman

AZUSA —  After five consecutive home games, the Chapman College Panthers probably couldn’t imagine a worse road debut, losing, 78-60, to the Azusa Pacific Cougars Friday night.

The Panthers (4-2) were unable to counter Azusa Pacific’s inside game, leading to a long, frustrating, three-Chapman-technical-foul night.

“They were a little bigger,’ said Chapman Coach Bob Boyd, “but they were not as quick. Usually, quickness can make up for size, but in this case it didn’t.’

It didn’t even come close. Azusa (6-2) led by as many as 20 points, 70-50, with 1:49 remaining, and by then Chapman’s only hope was to foul.

“I didn’t feel it was a height advantage (for us),” said Azusa Coach Terry Layton. “They (Chapman) just lost people inside.”

It did appear that Chapman had not found its game in the first half, when they were outscored inside, 24-14, and out-rebounded, 23-10, by a Cougar front line that averaged 6-foot-8. Chapman’s tallest starter was 6-5 guard Darius Henderson.

The Cougars’ inside game buried the Panthers inside, holding Chapman’s leading scorer and rebounder, 6-4 sophomore forward Roger Middleton, more than 14 points below his season average and cut by half his season rebounding average. Middleton, a former Tustin High standout, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Cougars did out-rebound Chapman, 41-28, overall and whether or not size was the deciding factor, Middleton points to the officials for the Panthers’ poor outing.

“They stunk,” Middleton said. “That’s my opinion. I just think the referees didn’t perform up to their standards.

“It (size) shouldn’t have made any difference, though.”

Boyd said: “I thought we played very poorly. I don’t think we’ve played that poorly this year.

“This was our first chance to play on the road (and) we’re not quite where we thought we’d be at this time.”