ULV drops Bulldogs to continue title chase
Campus Times
February 20, 1998
As the winning season progresses for the University of La Verne men's
basketball team, so do its high hopes of going to the playoffs.
This week, the Leopards were chosen as an honorable mention pick for
the NCAA Division III men's basketball west region poll. But before that
happens, La Verne has to end its regular season in a good standing and beating
the Caltech Beavers (94-46) and the Redlands Bulldogs (82-77) in the same
week was a good start.
The Leopards went head-to- head Wednesday night with the Bulldogs, practically
trading baskets the entire first half.
Only 40 seconds into the game, La Verne was on fire and far too quick
for Redlands, starting out in its usual full-court press and scoring the
first two baskets of the game.
"I didn't make any new adjustments, I just wanted [the players]
to go out and play," said head coach Terry Boesel.
Although La Verne did put tight pressure on the Bulldogs, a few times
they were able to break the press which led to a couple of easy layups and
kept them within striking distance of La Verne.
Leopards junior Jess Pena stepped up his composure on defense, stole
the ball from the Bulldogs then passed it up court to junior Ryan Burchfield
for an easy bucket bringing the score to 22-18.
"We won because a lot of people stepped it up tonight," said
Pena, he finished the night with three assist, three steals and 10 points.
Although ULV stepped it up, Redlands would not give up. With 9:55 left
in the first half, Mac Clark from Redlands pulled up for an open 3-pointer
and made it. Redlands then stole the ball on defense and Page Boudreau was
wide open in the middle of the key for an easy two points, 23-22.
Senior Paul Celaya tied up the game with a 3-pointer but Clark answered
right back with one himself, keeping the crowd on its toes.
With 4:20 left in the first half, senior point guard Gabe Duran came
out of the game due to a left knee injury and was not seen on the court
the rest of the night. The half ended, 43-43.
After the halftime fair well to the old Bulldog mascot, ULV came out
ready to play.
ULV finally got its biggest lead of the night due to their full court
pressure, 75-58. However, the Bulldogs kept on biting and eventually broke
the big point gap keeping the game close, 77-69, with only 1:54 left to
play.
Redlands senior Peter Lauer stepped up with less than a minute to go
and sank a 3- pointer, bringing the game to within five points.
After a Redlands' time out, ULV senior forward Eric Noyes was fouled
sending him to the line for two. Noyes made both shots putting ULV up by
seven.
"The bench play was definitely a contributor tonight. It just goes
to show that the deeper the bench, more wins are produced," said junior
Kenny Cauley, who had eight points and freshman Kevin Gustafson finished
with 10 points.
Some how Redlands found an open lane in ULV's tight defense as the seconds
ran down and freshman forward Jon Allen banked a basket with 23.9 seconds
left, 79-74.
Once again La Verne was fouled this time, sending senior guard Chad
Duggins to the line. Duggins made 1-of-2 shots from the foul line and ended
the game with 11 points.
Redlands kept on fighting, attempting for a 3-pointer that was good
which left ULV only three points ahead.
Redlands stopped the clock again at the 10 second mark and fouled Burchfield
in the open court, hoping for another chance at a victory. Burchfield crushed
their hopes and made both attempts at the line, putting La Verne up by five
to win the game. Burchfield finished with the team high of 15 points and
was 4-of-4 from the line.
When asked on how he thinks they won the game Pena said, "It was
definitely team ball and clutch free throws in the stretch."
Last Saturday, ULV defeated Caltech, 94-46. Gustafson and Moreland had
12 points a piece.
"In my opinion, it was the best game we have ever played against
Caltech since the three years I've been here," said Boesel.
ULV is now 17-4 overall and 9-2 in SCIAC. ULV's next game is tomorrow
against Whittier at 7:30 p.m.
