The Chaps nearly overcame an eight-point deficit in the final two-minutes of play Wednesday night in their 66-65 loss to visiting Wright College in N4C play.
 
Reserve Austin Esterly scored 17 points that included five 3-pointers. Evan Wagner-Talley followed with 14 points and Latron Kirkwood and Khyre Hines each had 11.
 
The Chaps held the Rams scoreless after Artemis Anderson put Wright ahead 66-58 with 2:14 remaining. A field goal from Kirkwood and free throws from Wagner-Talley pulled the Chaps to within four, 66-62 with 1:27 left.
 
Then, Hines converted on and-one play in the paint and the Chaps drew within a point, 66-65 with 58 seconds left.
 
The Chaps forced a turnover with 13 seconds left. After a timeout, Hines' driving shot was off with four seconds to go. An inbounds play with 1.1 seconds left wasn't enough time to get a shot for the win.
 
Coach William Anderson's team shot 46.9 percent from the floor and leaned on a 22-9 run early in the second half to get back into the game after trailing by nine with 19:29 to go.
 
The Chaps (2-15, 0-3) are at Harper College on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is 3 p.m.