Box Score ORANGE, Calif. — Chapman women's basketball fell behind by as many as 15 points against UC Santa Cruz Wednesday afternoon at home, and came roaring back to secure the five point victory 74-69. Junior forward and All-SCIAC team member Layla Woods led the way with 24 points to go along with eight rebounds and two assists. She went a blistering 58 percent from field and made 4/5 free throws on the day. Sophomore starting point guard Kira Watanabe had 15 points. The most recent conference player of the week Makena Nitao went for 14 of her own. 

After facing their largest margin in the third quarter, the Panthers mounted a massive comeback on the Banana Slugs. Chapman had 12 total steals, caused UCSC to have 17 total turnovers and scored 25 points off those turnovers. In the fourth quarter, Chapman flipped a switch and scored a blistering 27 total points — equal to their first half total. 

From behind-the-arc, Watanabe shined yet again knocking down 3/6 attempts, most of which she takes from NBA range. Oftentimes, audiences will squint at the site of such a long range shot, but Watanabe's arc rivals that of the most elite shooters in the world. It's become one of the most lethal weapons in her offensive arsenal. She is shooting 34.1 percent from three-point land for the season. 

Senior team captains Aidan Sherfey and Trinity Barretto also contributed immeasurably defensively. Each player had three steals, Sherfey contributed a block and and helped hold Santa Cruz to ther lowest scoring quarter to close out the comeback. 

The Panthers now have three games remaining in SCIAC play and the regular season. Chapman sits at 13-9 overall and 6-7 in conference play. They remain in the hunt for the fifth seed in the SCIAC which will secure the team a spot in the conference tournament. Chapman will return home Saturday, Feb. 14 for senior day against SCIAC opponent La Verne. The team will celebrate graduating seniors Kali Cajala, Sherfey and Barretto pre-game. Tip-off is set for 4 PM.