CLU Basketball Team Bows Out Without Taking a Curtain Call

The final curtain came down on Cal Lutheran’s 1986-87 basketball season Saturday night and the play had an unhappy ending. Southern California College left the Kingsmen and the crowd crying with a 104-97 win in CLU Gym.

Southern Cal (21-7, 12-4 in District III) struggled with the Kingsmen until the second half, when the Vanguards took control of the tempo and the game. After leading at the half, 49-46, SCC built an 83-68 lead with eight minutes left and coasted to victory.

For Cal Lutheran (10-18, 7-8 in District III) and first-year Coach Larry Lopez, the loss wasn’t exactly what they had in mind. The Kingsmen didn’t qualify for the District III playoffs and they wanted to show the District--and Southern Cal--that they could beat one of the best teams in the league.

As it turned out, they couldn’t.

“They lost to Loyola Marymount by only five points,” Lopez said. “So they can really play.

“We lost six games by a total of 12 points. It was frustrating to come so close and lose. We’re going to be tough to reckon with in the future.”