Balanced Scoring Helps Cal Lutheran Hold Lead

The Cal Lutheran men’s basketball team nearly lost a 17-point halftime lead but held off host Christian Heritage College, 85-80, Saturday in El Cajon.

Senior forward Derrick Clark scored 17 points to lead six Cal Lutheran players in double figures. Guard Mark Heerema scored 16 points, including four of seven from three-point range.

Guard Dave Ulloa added 13 points, center Paul LaMott scored 12 and Mike Fenton and John Pletsch each had 10 for Cal Lutheran (6-4).

Pletsch came off the bench and scored on all five of his attempts from the field. Ulloa had nine assists and Fenton grabbed seven rebounds.

Center Kelvin Starr scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds for Christian Heritage. The Hawks had five players in double figures, including 15 points and 10 rebounds by forward Redd Pepper.

The Kingsmen shot 57.1% from the field and held a 47-30 lead at halftime. Cal Lutheran extended the lead to 57-37 early in the second half before the Hawks began their rally.

Cal Lutheran made only 10 of 23 shots in the second half but converted 17 of 23 free-throw attempts.

Christian Heritage (3-10) rallied to shoot 60.0% in the second half after being held by to 44.4% at the intermission, but Cal Lutheran never relinquished the lead.