THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.– Cal Lutheran found themselves pitted against undefeated Hamilton and struggled on the defensive end as they fell to the Continentals 97-68 in their home opener Friday night inside Gilbert Arena.
The Kingsmen were fairly efficient shooting from the field (46%), but struggled from behind the arc going only 4-15 from three-point range. The visitors were clicking on all cylinders, shooting 61.3% from the floor and 45.8% from behind the three-point arc.
Pacing the hosts offensively was Carlton Brown with 17 points, the most he's scored wearing the Purple and Gold. Connor Cole contributed 12 points to the cause while grabbing four rebounds and making two three-pointers on the night. Palmer Chaplin also chipped in 10 points with three rebounds and three steals.
The hosts started off hot, leading by as many as 10 points halfway through the first 20 minutes. After taking a 19-9 lead, the Kingsmen would struggle to find an offensive rhythm and couldn't make a field goal for over three minutes. This allowed Hamilton back in the game as they used a 15-1 run to take the lead.
Another short spurt from the visitors would give them quite the advantage going into the break with a 45-32 lead.
It was all the Continentals in the second half, quickly extending their lead to 25 points to force a CLU timeout. The hosts couldn't seem to find their footing and eventually fell 97-86 to the talented nonconference opponent.
Making their Cal Lutheran debut tonight was Michael Liborio.
The Kingsmen fall to 1-4 in nonconference competition and look forward to another home game when they take on Mt. St. Vincent Dec 1. At 2 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 68, HC 97
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director