REDLANDS, Calif. - In a battle of 2008 NCAA Division III tournament teams, the Puget Sound Loggers fell to the Chapman Panthers, 78-64, in a Redlands Tip-Off Classic women's basketball game in Redlands, Calif.

The Loggers (0-2) took an early lead, holding a 12-4 advantage around the 13 minute mark of the first half.  Puget Sound pushed the lead to 10 points on a number of occasions but the Panthers put together a late first half run, taking the lead for the first time with 30 seconds left in the period on a jumper by Andrijana Kerkez.  Senior Karen Chase (Yakima, Wash./West Valley) hit a shot with five seconds remaining to give the Loggers back the lead but a three-pointer at the buzzer by Lauren Kamiyama gave Chapman a 31-29 halftime lead. 

In the second period, the Panthers continued their momentum, pushing their own lead into double-digits just four minutes in.  The Chapman lead got up to 19 with just over a minute remaining but a three-pointer by freshman Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest) at the buzzer pulled the Loggers within 14 at the end, 78-64. 

The Loggers were led by 17 points, nine boards and two blocks from Chase.  Riordan ended up with 11 points on the night.  Junior Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) finished with 10 points in the loss.

The Panthers were led by 26 points from Nicole Hayman.  Linda Ly came off the bench to score 16, including 10-of-11 from the charity stripe, while Christina Ly added 11 of her own.  Kerkez collected the double-double, putting up 10 points and 11 boards in the win.

The Loggers will look to get in the win column on Saturday night when they take on host Redlands.  Tip-off with the Bulldogs is set for 7:30 p.m.

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