Cal Lutheran’s 34 Turnovers Lead to 85-66 Playoff Defeat

Cal Lutheran was out-shot, out-rebounded, outplayed and, finally, knocked out of the NCAA Division III men’s basketball playoffs Thursday night, dropping an 85-66 decision to Linfield in a first-round game before 1,700 in McMinnville, Ore.

The Kingsmen (19-7) committed 34 turnovers and took 23 fewer shots (69-46) than the Wildcats (21-5), who finished with 17 offensive rebounds compared to seven for Cal Lutheran.

The Kingsmen trailed, 40-36, at halftime, but shot only 42% from the field in the second half.

Justin Muth made seven of 13 shots and scored 22 points for Cal Lutheran, but committed six turnovers. He finished with nine rebounds.

Pat Holmberg also had six turnovers for the Kingsmen, who shot 46% from the field to Linfield’s 36%.

Victor Esquer finished with 17 points, six assists and four steals for Cal Lutheran.

Grant Enbright led Linfield’s balanced attack with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Ian Hartman had 14 points off the bench, and three other Wildcats scored in double figures.

BASEBALL

Cal Baptist 8, The Master’s 4--Jim Cox had three hits, including a home run, for the Mustangs (7-5) in a nonconference game at The Master’s.

Glendale 7, Bakersfield 2--Evan Shahak had two doubles and two RBIs, and Brandon Bell hit an RBI triple for the Vaqueros (10-1) in a Western State Conference Southern Division game at Bakersfield (6-5).

Pierce 10, Valley 0--Kurt Birkins allowed four hits in seven innings and struck out seven for the Brahmas in a WSC Southern Division opener at Valley.

Tony Cicero had three hits for Pierce (9-5, 1-0), while David Johnson added two hits, including a home run.

SOFTBALL

Ventura 4, Valley 3--Fraggle Jimenez drove in Crystal Gradlin with a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning to snap a 3-3 tie and give the Pirates (10-5, 2-0) a WSC interdivisional victory at Ventura.

Blair Blakeley had three hits and scored a run for the Monarchs (4-7-1, 0-2).

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Bakersfield 8, Ventura 1--Stephanie Schroeder and Jenny Underwood won at No. 1 doubles but the Pirates were outclassed in a WSC Northern Division match at Bakersfield.