ORANGE, Calif. – The University of Redlands men's basketball team (10-5, 2-4) dropped their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game at Chapman University 85-77 Monday evening as they were called for four technical fouls which included head coach Eric Bridgeland getting ejected in the first half.
Ivan Belkin got the start and after making 7-of-10 three on Saturday against Occidental, and he took advantage and made a three in the first minute of the game.
A couple of minutes later Kendrick Currey converted an and-one to make it a 10-6 Bulldog lead.
Chapman would then tie the game at 10 and 13 before taking a 17-16 lead on a three with 12:44 on the clock.
The Panthers then led 21-20 and with 11:40 left in the half Currey reclaimed the lead and started a 7-0 Bulldog run that put them up by six, 27-21, after Neil Owens made a three to cap the run.
The rest of the half Redlands were out in front by nine twice after Belkin and Lucas Gordon each made threes, but Chapman ended the half on a 22-4 run over the final 5:56 as they were the team that led by nine, 51-42. During the final 2:50 Bridgeland got two technical fouls and was ejected and then Currey received a technical foul, and the Panthers made all six free throws.
The Bulldogs allowed the opening basket of the second half before Sam Abere made a three off a Belkin assist. Abere then hit another three 32 seconds later after he got an offensive rebound and made it a five-point game, 53-47.
Moments later another second chance opportunity fell to the Bulldogs when Belkin missed a three and Currey got the rebound and found him for another three which made to it 53-51 Chapman only 62 seconds after trailing by 11.
Despite the run of success, their defense allowed the Panthers to take another nine-point lead, 63-54, with 13:42 on the clock.
Then with only 7:27 remaining and time dwindling, the Bulldogs found themselves down 10, 69-59. Currey, however, went to work and got a pair of baskets in the paint. Jhace Boston then made two free throws, found Belkin for a layup, and Khyree Armstead tied it at 69 in less than three minutes.
The comeback would be for not as the Panthers were able to withstand the run and never trailed as they scored 16 of the final 24 points and got the eight-point win.
Armstead continued his efficient play as he had a team-high 24 points (10-19 FG, 3-8 3FG) and seven rebounds. Belkin had 18 points (6-12 FG, 4-8 3FG, 2-2 FT) with a career-high of 12 rebounds and four assists.
As a team the Bulldogs got 22 more field goal attempts thanks to 10 more turnovers forced, but a 35.4 percent mark from the field and a 49.1 field goal percentage allowed cost them.
Redlands returns home this Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. as they host the California Institute of Technology inside Currier Gym.