A tournament-record 16 three-pointers propelled third-seeded Chapman University past No. 15 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges for a second time this season, 79-68, in the semifinals of the 2026 SCIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Box Score
The Panthers rained threes from the outset, surging ahead by a high of 13 at 43-30 with 1:44 left in the first half. The Stags kept up the intensity all game but could get no closer than within seven points as the visiting Panthers sank a record 16 three-pointers to overcome a massive free-throw deficit that ranged as high as 17 more attempts for the Stags at one point.
Cruz Billings poured in 23 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc while
Jake Heberle came up in several clutch situations to total 13 points and four assists.
Reid Jones led the Stags with 16 points and five steals, several of which came down the stretch including just before hitting one of three made treys while being fouled for the four-point play.
The Panthers will head to top-seeded University of Redlands for the final on Sunday, Mar. 1 at 2 p.m.
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