ORANGE, Calif. — Chapman women's basketball squeaked out a win over Cal Lutheran to start off 2026 on Saturday evening 54-53. 

Makena Nitao led the way for the Panthers netting 12 points along with two rebounds and three steals. The junior guard also nailed the game winning layup with 46 seconds to play off an assist from sophomore starting point guard Kira Watanabe. Nitao then also secured the steal at the buzzer to secure the heart stopping victory. 

Senior forward Trinity Barretto also stepped up earning 12 rebounds— four of them coming from the offensive end of the ball. Layla Woods added a double-double in her own right with 10 points and 12 rebounds. 

Chapman weathered the storm of Cal Lutheran roaring back in the third quarter as Regals starting guard Natalie Villamor knocked down four straight three-pointers and forward Alline Ballard secured 22 rebounds for the game. After getting outscored in the third quarter 26-13, the Panthers held Cal Lutheran to just seven points in the final quarter. 

The Panthers forced 14 turnovers on the Regals kept them to just 25.8 percent shooting for the game. With the close victory, Chapman now improves to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in SCIAC play. The Panthers have won five of the last six games and three straight. Next up, they will welcome in Life Pacific on Monday, Jan. 5 at 7 P.M.