Chapman and La Verne had met twice during the regular season with both games going to the Panthers. By winning the season series, Chapman secured home court advantage for the game and was a favorite entering the pre-game shoot-around. But once the game started, that forecast went out the fogged windows of the packed Hutton Center.

Early momentum seemed to swing towards the home team and their swarming half-court press. Chapman forced three turnovers off of La Verne in-bounds plays but could not convert either chance into points.

Rather than pound the paint, the Leopards focused on their perimeter game. Junior Marissa Raya scorched
Chapman from behind the arc and from the baseline, scoring 15 points to lead all first half scorers. Lindsey Shiomi added six first half points of her own and didn’t have a single turnover during the half.

Chapman was forced to concentrate on the shooters to prevent the outside shot, leaving the paint vulnerable. This gave La Verne’s bruisers space to dominate down low. Midway through the first half, the Leopards were feasting on uncontested lay-ups and open looks while leading by 16.

“We were trying to keep [Raya] from touching the ball but she was money,” said Jue. “You’ve got to give them credit. They changed a lot, they doubled and we didn’t adjust quickly.”

While the La Verne offense looked fluid and efficient, Chapman looked lost. They had trouble getting into their offensive sets; at one point, Kamiyama had to shout out directions for her teammates in an attempt to get them into their proper positions. Chapman eventually came back, but things were looking somber as they returned to the locker room down 41-34 at halftime.

The second half started much like the first. The two teams traded baskets through the opening minutes, but with La Verne in the bonus throughout most of the second half, the Leopards’ lead was at 12 points with less than seven minutes to play. It was at 10 with under three minutes to go. To most in attendance, the rout appeared to be on. The only problem was that none of them bothered to tell Chapman.

Even if the fat lady happened to start singing prematurely—and the score could have justified it—Kamiyama certainly wouldn’t have listened. “I looked up and saw we were still down, and I thought, ‘we’d better hurry up,’” said Kamiyama. “We have to make a run now.”

With her team desperate for some offensive energy, the athletic guard went unconscious. Down nine with two minutes left in regulation, Kamiyama sank a three ball to cut the lead to six. Two possessions later, she nailed another trey from about three feet behind the arc, bringing the quarter-capacity crowd to its feet.

On the ensuing possession, the Leopards turned the ball over again on an in-bounds play. This time, the
Panthers would not be denied as Gina Romero converted a tough five-footer to tie the game with 39 seconds left, the first tie since tip-off. The shot brought bedlam to the Hutton Center. Riding the wave of momentum and sudden exhilaration, the Panthers never looked back.

In overtime, Chapman scored the first seven points and shot 19-21 from the stripe to win the game 108-97. Kamiyama scored 11 points in the extra period and finished the game with a career high 34, including an incredible 17-18 from the free-throw line.

“When I saw my teammates fouling out, I knew I had to step up,” said Kamiyama. “When the game is on the line and our season is in jeopardy, I try to do what it takes to get to the next round.”

Kamiyama’s father, Ed Kamiyama said Monday that his daughter was as ready for this game as she’s ever been since she first picked up a ball.

“She said, ‘Dad, I’m not going to lose this game. I don’t care if I break both knees again.’ That’s how serious she was,” Mr. Kamiyama said.

In addition to how well she performed with the ball, Ed said that Lauren was outthinking the opposing coaches.

“When she saw that they weren’t going to double-team her, she really went to work. When she pumped her fist, I knew she was in control,” he said.

Thanks in large part to Kamiyama’s extraordinary performance, the Panthers are now winners of their last 17 contests. They will look to continue that streak Saturday against Howard Payne (27-1), the second ranked team in the country, in the next round of the Div. III tournament.

And you can bet Kamiyama will be there and ready. After losing her mother, she had said that basketball was the only thing that helped her cope with her pain and allowed her to briefly escape. Seeing her after the game, mobbed by friends and grateful fans, the ever-modest point guard simply smiled and offered thanks.
There was an expression of happiness and satisfaction that went beyond the standard façade that follows such an accomplishment.

At that moment, it would be safe to say that she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

–Additional reporting by the Rafu Shimpo sports staff.