College Basketball MEN : Havrisik Leads Biola Over Cal Lutheran

Scott Havrisik scored seven consecutive points for Biola University in less than two minutes of the second half to carry the Eagles to a 46-39 victory at Cal Lutheran Friday night.

Biola, which has won 10 of 11 games, had its lowest-scoring first half of the season but still led 17-10 at intermission. The Eagles kept the ball away from the Kingsmen for much of the half with their four-corner offense and forced 11 turnovers in the process.

The Kingsmen were held to 11 shots in the first half and hit on only four. Biola led from start to finish despite making only 14 of 40 field-goal attempts.

“Our kids didn’t perform well under the pressure of this game,” said Cal Lutheran basketball Coach Ed Anderson. “We weren’t patient. We didn’t score and we let down defensively.”

Havrisik, Biola’s leading scorer, finished with a game-high 17 points. He hit on 7 of 17 shots and was 3-for-4 from the foul line. The senior forward gave the Eagles some much-needed breathing room after the Kingsmen cut their deficit to two on a 16-foot jump shot by John Oldenburg with 8:28 remaining in the game.

Havrisik then hit two long jumpers and was fouled by Oldenburg on a lay-in. He converted the free throw for the three-point play which put Biola ahead, 33-26.

Cal Lutheran never got any closer after Havrisik’s spree and the game degenerated into a free-throw contest. Biola’s last ten points came at the foul line.

“At halftime we talked about being a little more patient and getting more precise shots,” said Havrisik, who helped Biola rebound from a loss in its first NAIA District III opener Tuesday night against Southern California College.

“It made us all think about what we have to accomplish,” he said of the loss. “Maybe we’ll benefit by it in the long run.”

Cal Lutheran was held to its lowest point total of the season. The Kingsmen are 1-1 in the conference and 5-15 overall. Biola improved to 1-1 in the conference and 15-2 overall.

“That’s their style and they do it very well,” said Anderson, refering to the Eagles’ stifling four-corner offense.

“If you get the lead they can’t hold the ball on you. We had all opportunities but couldn’t capitalize on them,” Anderson added.

Kingsmen team captain Dave Lareva, who missed the previous four games with a knee injury, came off the bench with 1:53 left in the first half and connected on his only shot of the game. Guard Pat Gibbs led Cal Lutheran with 16 points.