CLU Handles La Verne, Grabs Share of Title

One down. One to go.

That was the feeling among Cal Lutheran players and coaches after the Kingsmen defeated La Verne, 103-90, in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night.

The victory was the third in a row for Cal Lutheran (23-2, 12-2 in conference play) and gave the Kingsmen a share of their third consecutive SCIAC title.

It also set up a playoff game against co-champion Pomona Pitzer on Saturday night at Occidental to determine which team will gain the SCIAC’s automatic entry in the NCAA Division III playoffs beginning next week.

It is the second year in a row that Cal Lutheran will play in a SCIAC playoff game. The Kingsmen lost to co-champion La Verne last season.

“Now we have a chance to decide it on the court,” Cal Lutheran Coach Mike Dunlap said. “And I’m really looking forward to it.”

Rupert Sapwell, who scored 25 points to go along with his eight rebounds, echoed Dunlap’s sentiments.

“This was a real big game for us, but we want Pomona as bad as anyone,” he said. “That will be a rumble on Saturday night.”

The Kingsmen and Sagehens split their two meetings this season. Cal Lutheran won, 96-77, on Jan. 22, and Pomona scored an 85-76 victory in overtime last week.

“The guys are definitely looking forward to playing them again, but we knew we had to win this game tonight if we wanted a (conference title) banner,” Dunlap said. “If we wanted a three-peat, we had to win tonight.”

Cal Lutheran appeared to have the victory wrapped up with 6 1/2 minutes left when Dave Ulloa hit a pair of free throws to give the Kingsmen an 83-61 lead, but La Verne (12-12, 8-6) countered with a 14-3 run to trim the deficit to 86-75.

Sapwell ended the Leopards’ streak with a pair of free throws with 3:45 left and Cal Lutheran went on a 12-6 run of its own to take a 98-81 lead with 1:48 remaining.

“They weren’t going to let us enjoy the win until after the game, that’s for sure,” Dunlap said. “We weren’t playing badly on defense, but they were just on fire.”

Led by Aaron Courseault (26 points) and Mark King (12), La Verne hit nine three-point shots in the second half.

During one stretch in which La Verne cut a 68-43 deficit to 76-61, all 18 of the Leopards’ points came on three-point baskets by either Courseault or King.

Damon Ridley had 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Cal Lutheran and Derrick Clark added 17 points and nine rebounds.

Paul LaMott added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kingsmen.