ORANGE, Calif.— Chapman men's basketball held on strong to defeat UC Santa Cruz  81-73 at home Wednesday evening. Four Panthers scored in double figures as Chapman remained in control for the entire first half and had a late surge in the fourth quarter to close the day. Jake Heberle (18), Cruz Billings (15), Scott Schulz (15) and Joe Keegan (10) combined for 58 of the team's total points. 

With the team down midway through the third quarter, and for the first time all game, Billings and Schulz provided the shock the team needed. Schulz knocked down four three-pointers and Billings recorded a vital four rebounds along with six assists. Billings checked in and gave the team the lift they needed after squandering a massive first half lead. Schulz then sealed the deal knocking down nearly right corner three-pointer off the backboard. 

Chapman weathered the storm of a massive UCSC comeback by causing 12 turnovers and 22 points off those turnovers. Joe Jack stepped up big netting nine points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Keegan also stepped up defensively recording two blocks in the second half. One came against Santa Cruz's big man Joey Espy who recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds standing at 6'8". 

The Panthers will look to continue the momentum of their three game winning streak as host Whitworth on Thursday, Dec. 18.