ORANGE, Calif— Chapman women's basketball started off the 2024-25 season at home in style, out scoring St. Catherine (St. Kate) 75-68. The Panthers caught fire from behind the arc, shooting 53 percent from three while holding St. Catherine to just 25 percent from distance. 

Sophomore guard Maile Nakaji led the offensive onslot with six made threes and 23 points to lead all scorers for the game. Makena Nitao held her own offensively, contributing 20 points, while going a perfect 8/8 from the charity stripe. 

Overall, the Panthers had four players score in double-figures, while also out rebounding St. Catherine 42-38. Chapman also led by as many as 15 points midway through the second quarter and managed to weather the storm of St. Catherine mounting a fourth quarter comeback. 

St. Kate's Hattie Fox poured in 18 points on 7/14 shooting to help her team crawl back into the game. Despite the late comeback, and St. Kate going up by four points in the fourth quarter, the Panthers proved too much to handle. 

Chapman eventually sealed their victory from the charity stripe, going 12/13 for the game. Their season will continue against UT Dallas at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.