ORANGE, Calif. — Maile Nakaji hit the only three of the game for the Panthers, but it was a big one, cementing Chapman's lead – 63-62 with 37.3 to go in the fourth. The Panthers never let up, beating Occidental 68-64 on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The basket came off a Zoe Mazakas steal. She found Shanna Brown racing down the floor. Brown waited patiently for the trailing Nakaji, who knocked it down with ice in her veins.

The win comes off the heels of a five-game skid, putting the Panthers back over .500, 9-8. 

The Panthers led at the end of the first quarter, 13-12, but a 20-4 Oxy run to start the second put Chapman well behind. The Panthers, led by Makena Nitao's 17 points, mounted a comeback to cut the deficit to seven before the half.

Chapman tied the game at one point in the third and another in the fourth, before taking the lead at 52-50. The game remained within one or two until Nakaji knocked down a free throw to push the lead to four, 66-62.

Brown finished right behind Nitao with 16 points, and Nakaji added 12. The trio of freshmen were the only Panthers in double figures.

Chapman is back home on Saturday to take on Cal Lutheran at 4 p.m.