Cal Lutheran to Begin Defense of Title With Unbeaten Record

Cal Lutheran, which completed a undefeated nonconference basketball schedule last week, will begin its quest for a third consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title against Occidental at home tonight at 7:30.

The Kingsmen (11-0) are in the midst of a school-record winning streak, but they realize those victories do not account for anything in the SCIAC standings.

“It’s a new season,” Coach Mike Dunlap said. “We’re enjoying the fact that we have this streak going and we’re going to ride it as long as we can, but we’re not going to worry about it. If it comes to an end, we’re going to get back in the saddle and try to ride another one.”

In an effort to take pressure off his team, Dunlap minimizes the fact that the Kingsmen won the SCIAC title outright in 1992 and tied La Verne last season.

“Our attitude is that we are defending nothing,” Dunlap said.

Occidental (6-4) will be led by Blair Slattery, the last season’s SCIAC player of the year. Slattery, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound senior forward, is averaging 24.7 points and 14.3 rebounds a game.

“(Slattery) is the best player in the conference; I have no problem saying that,” Dunlap said. “He’s a known quantity, so we’ll definitely go after him.”

Cal Lutheran has six players averaging double figures in scoring. Senior guard Damon Ridley is averaging 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals. Senior forward Derrick Clark is averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.