Local Teams Set to Start Regular Season

The local college basketball season begins in earnest in the next week.

The Concordia men’s team, which defeated Pacific Christian, 99-63, in its opener Wednesday, hosts La Sierra at 7:30 tonight. Pacific Christian plays LIFE Bible at Brea Community Center.

The Southern California College women’s team hosts La Sierra tonight and Christian Heritage Wednesday.

The Chapman men’s team hosts a round-robin tournament Friday and Saturday. The Panthers play LIFE Bible at 8 p.m. Friday and Southwestern (Ariz.) at 8 p.m. Saturday. Occidental plays those teams at 6 p.m. each day.

The women’s teams at Chapman and Concordia start the season on the road.

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Women’s volleyball: Concordia opens the NAIA Far West Regional Tournament Saturday night at Fresno Pacific, the top-seeded team. Fresno Pacific (23-4) is ranked third in the nation. The Eagles (10-18) are seeded eighth. The winner moves into the semifinals next Friday.

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Women’s soccer: Chapman goalkeeper Nikki Scribner, a junior from Lakewood, set a school record for lowest goals-against average, giving up only 1.09 per game.

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Football: Chapman punter Mario Acosta is in the strange position of hoping the Panther offense isn’t too successful today in the season-finale against Azusa Pacific. Acosta, a junior from Servite, needs at least five punts to qualify for the NCAA Division III statistical leaders. Acosta’s 45.4 average would lead the nation but he doesn’t have the minimum number of attempts to be considered.