Big Half by Kirksey, Kraatz Sparks Christian Heritage

The combination of 6-foot 8-inch David Kirksey and guard Mark Kraatz helped Christian Heritage College cruise to a 97-65 NAIA District 3 victory over visiting Christ College of Irvine Thursday night.

Kirksey scored 22 points in the first half and finished with 28. Kraatz, who finished with 13 assists and 17 points, had 9 assists in the first half, all to Kirksey. Kirksey also had 10 rebounds. Dwayne Burton added 16 points for Christian Heritage (9-11).

Michael Banks scored 26 points to lead Cal Baptist College to a 65-60 Golden State Athletic Conference victory over host Point Loma Nazarene College.

Point Loma Nazarene (7-14, 1-5) trailed by six at halftime, 39-33, but it never got closer than four in the second half. Point Loma Nazarene made only 38% of its shots and 60% of its free throws. Cal Baptist (14-7, 4-2), made 12 of 15 free throws.

Mark Bulgin led Point Loma Nazarene with 13 points, including three of four three-pointers.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Mary Beth Reuss made 2 free throws with 24 seconds left to give the Cal Baptist women’s basketball team a 68-66 Golden State Athletic Conference victory over host Point Loma Nazarene College Thursday night.

Point Loma Nazarene led at halftime, 47-34. But a 10-3 run by Cal Baptist early in the second half made it a close game. Point Loma had the ball with 12 seconds to play, but the Cal Baptist defense kept Point Loma Nazarene from getting off a good shot.

Cindy Clark led Cal Baptist (16-4, 5-0) with 20 points. Ann Duffy and Shannon Anderson scored 15 and 13 points for Point Loma Nazarene (14-7, 3-2).

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Mt. Carmel led with 2 1/2 minutes to play, 50-46. But it made 10 of 11 free throws after that to defeat Poway, 60-48, in a Palomar League game. Mt. Carmel made a school-record 18 of 20 free throws. Kara Warner and Tracy Stowe, who made 6 of 6 free throws in the fourth quarter, each scored 20 points for Mt. Carmel (16-3, 6-1). Dawn Gigstad and Christie Fortney each scored 12 for Poway (4-3 in league).

In another Palomar League game, Laura Hughes scored 20 points to lead Orange Glen to a 51-46 victory over Torrey Pines. With the victory, Orange Glen (12-7, 3-4) has won more league games than it ever has since joining the league in 1980. Carrie Bonfort led Torrey Pines with 14 points.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore Nick Rothman had 21 kills and a .607 hitting percentage to lead UC San Diego to a 15-13, 15-7, 16-14 nonconference victory over Princeton (0-2) in Triton Pavilion.