ORANGE, Calif. – A strong third quarter proved to be the difference as the Chapman University women's basketball team extended its win streak to five with a 69-60 victory over UC Santa Cruz. The Panthers improved to 13-8 on the season with the non-conference win.

Makenna Nitao led the Panthers with 21 points and Shanna Brown scored 13 in her first career start. Both had excellent games at the free throw line as Nitao converted 11-of-12 free throw attempts and Brown sunk all nine of her attempts. Nitao also had six assists while Brown pulled down seven rebounds.

Layla Woods scored five of Chapman's 19 bench points but also came down with nine rebounds.

The teams went back and forth through much of the first half five six ties and five lead changes. UCSC took the narrow 28-27 lead into halftime but Chapman opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run in the first 2:08 to take a 37-28 lead. Chapman had two steals lead to four easy layups to help fuel the stretch. Nitao's steal of an inbound pass after a made basketball led to an easy Nakaji lay-in and prompted a quick timeout from the Banana Slugs.

UCSC was able to stop the run but Chapman stayed in front the rest of the way. The Panthers knocked down 18-of-25 free throws in the fourth quarter to thwart the Slugs' comeback attempt.

Chapman forced 19 turnovers but committed 22 turnovers in the game. Amanda Inserra led UCSC with 21 points – all on made three-pointers.

The Panthers will look to keep the streak alive and stay in the race for a SCIAC Tournament bid as they head to Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday. Chapman faces Whittier in its final home game of the season on Saturday at 4 p.m.