Kingsmen Win With Their Guard Up, 97-93

It took two-thirds of a season to accomplish, but Cal Lutheran Coach Ed Anderson may have finally found a guard to run and control the Kingsmen offense.

Jeff Wrout, a senior from Camarillo, got a rare start Saturday night against Occidental and responded with 24 points--14 in the first half--as Cal Lutheran won, 97-93, in a nonconference game at home.

“It feels good to finally get things going,” said Wrout, who was averaging five points a game before Saturday night. “It only takes a few good performances to get you’re confidence back. I’m hoping I get a chance to maintain this level of play.”

Wrout has spent much of the season playing as a reserve behind Mark Taggatz, who has done an adequate job bringing the ball up the court, but hasn’t demonstrated that he is a threat to score.

Wrout, on the other hand, has scored 38 points in the last two games. His ability to make shots from the perimeter has relieved the pressure that opponents normally apply to the undersized front line of the Kingsmen.

“You can’t leave Jeff alone outside because he’ll make those shots,” Anderson said. “He did an outstanding job for us tonight.”

Cal Lutheran (4-15, 1-4) looked like a different team than the one that has been showing up throughout the season. The Kingsmen came out confident and shot 65% in the first half.

“I think our guys are just fed up with losing,” said Cal Lutheran guard Steve Delaveaga, who tied Wrout for game-high scoring honors. “We played better in the first 10 minutes of tonight’s game than we have all year.”

The Kingsmen led, 18-15, when they broke the game open during a six-minute stretch that began with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Cal Lutheran outscored Occidental, 14-5, during the run with help from Wrout, who made four consecutive long-range jumpers.

“I got into a good rhythm after making my first shot,” Wrout said. “After that, I was looking to shoot every time I got the ball in an open position inside of 20 feet.”

Wrout helped the Kingsmen build a lead that grew as large as 15 points with seven minutes to go in the half.

Cal Lutheran upped its 48-38 halftime lead to as many as 18 with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Occidental chipped away at the lead and got it down to 90-87, but the Kingsmen held off the Tigers.

Gene Fritz was the leading scorer for Occidental with 20.