Cal Lutheran Plays to Reach Round of Eight

The Cal Lutheran men’s basketball team will attempt to take a step into uncharted territory at 3:30 p.m. PST today when the Kingsmen play Greensboro (N.C.) in a semifinal of the NCAA Division III South-West sectional at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

Cal Lutheran (25-2) defeated UC San Diego, 95-81, Saturday to advance to the third round of the Division III playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons, but a victory over Dixie Conference champion Greensboro (25-3) would propel the Kingsmen into the round of eight for the first time.

“When I look at (Greensboro), it’s like looking in the mirror,” Coach Mike Dunlap said. “They’re a lot like us. They like to run and they play man-to-man defense. If we have an advantage, it might be inside. We seem to be a little bit bulkier than they are.”

Forwards Brad Apple (16.5 points a game) and Cory White (15.8) and guard Kevin Beard (15.8) are the leading scorers for the Pride, which averages 95.7 points. Cal Lutheran averages 94.2.

Guard Damon Ridley (20.2) and forwards Derrick Clark (15.9) and Rupert Sapwell (12.5) will lead the Kingsmen.

The Cal Lutheran-Greensboro winner will play the St. Thomas-Hampden-Sydney (Va.) winner for the sectional championship Saturday with the winner advancing to the final four at Buffalo (N.Y.) State College on March 18-19.