ORANGE, Calif. — Tommy Griffitts' 16 points led No. 14 Cal Lutheran men's basketball to a 73-67 win over Chapman, extending its win streak to 12 games on Saturday afternoon.

The Kingsmen (16-3, 9-1 SCIAC) secured an important conference win, bolstering their first-place ranking and they remained one game ahead of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the SCIAC standings.

Griffitts scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and added two blocks and a steal. Brock Susko added 14 points and a game-high seven rebounds, and Desi Burrage added 11 points. 

The Kingsmen played the Panthers (11-8, 5-5) to a 25-25 stalemate until the five-minute mark of the first half when they finished the half strong by going on a 13-4 run. Patrick Renane capped off the run by knocking down a free-throw line jumper with just three seconds remaining. 

Griffitts hit a jumper for the opening basket of the second half, extending the Kingsmen lead to 40-29. 

The Panthers then went 5-7 from the field over the next six minutes and went on a 9-2 run to get within three points 54-51. 

The Kingsmen didn't panic and answered right back. A Ze'ev Remer layup followed by back-to-back threes by Burrage and Devon Lewis got the Kingsmen lead right back to double-digits, as they led 65-54 with four minutes remaining. They finished strong defensively and went 4-6 from the line in the final minute to end the game on top. 

Despite the Kingsmen struggling from three (26.1%, 6-23), they made up for it by grabbing six more offensive rebounds than the Panthers, leading to 15 second-chance points. 

Next, the Kingsmen return to Gilbert Arena where they are a perfect 10-0 at home. They take on La Verne (6-12, 3-7 SCIAC) on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.