Drew Gaston scored a game-high 26 points as COD opened the 2021-22 season with an 84-72 loss to visiting Richard J. Daley College in NJCAA Region IV play Tuesday night.
 
 
Gaston hit 11 of 14 from the field in his Chaps' debut, and teammate Abram Ross scored all 16 points in the second half as COD nearly came back from a wire-to-wire deficit.
 
The Chaps never led but got back into the game and threatened with five-plus minutes left. Down 67-51 with 10:10 to go, COD built a 17-4 run and closed to within three (71-68) on a bucket from Ross with 5:36 left.
 
Daley finished off the Chaps on a 13-4 run for the win.
 
Levi Bensten scored 13 , but no other Chap scored more than five.
 
The Chaps play host to Oakton on Thursday. Tipoff is 7 p.m.