Kingsmen Overpower Redlands, Hit Century Mark

Photo credit: Izzy De Souza
Photo credit: Izzy De Souza

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball overpowered Redlands, hitting the century mark for the first time season, as they won a much anticipated rematch 100-90 on Saturday night.

The Kingsmen were tested many times, but had a response to the Bulldogs every time. The win brings the Cal Lutheran's overall record to 9-9 and their conference record to 6-4.

Devon Lewis and Desi Burrage both scored 20-plus points to lead the Kingsmen. Lewis had 24 points and added four rebounds and three assists while Burrage had 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Four more Kingsmen scored double-digits. Tommy Griffitts had 13 and Brock Susko, Stephen Davis and Riley O'Connor had 11 each. Susko had the team-high in rebounds and assists with seven and five, respectively.

Cal Lutheran committed 13 turnovers while forcing Redlands in to 15. The Kingsmen took advantage of the turnovers, scoring 23 points off them, while the Bulldogs only scored 12. The Kingsmen also scored 22 fastbreak points compared to the Bulldogs' four.

The game quickly turned into a battlefield as each shot was matched early and often. The Kingsmen narrowly took an early lead at 13-10. The Bulldogs stayed close behind the Kingsmen before tying the game at 19 all. Redlands then managed to take the lead, 25-21, but Cal Lutheran quickly tied the game 29-29. The Kingsmen flexed their muscles after that, scoring 19 straight points, and had a 47-29 advantage. The first half would go Cal Lutheran's way as they took a 49-33 lead at the break.

The Bulldogs opened the second half with a little run and cut the lead to 49-35. After a standstill of just over a minute, the Bulldogs scored again. The Kingsmen continued to carry the momentum unbothered as they kept Redlands down 52-41. The Bulldogs refused to fold, but the Kingsmen made sure to hold them back and the score was 66-51. Both teams entered another deadlock of nearly two minutes before Cal Lutheran broke through Redland's defense and went up 68-51.

The Bulldogs slowly closed the distance and the lead was down to 10 at 72-62. The Kingsmen continued to keep the Bulldogs back, but Redlands continued to close the distance at 82-75. In a late comeback effort from Redlands, it was Cal Lutheran that had the final say. The Kingsmen held off the Bulldogs and won the game.

The Kingsmen's next game will be against Occidental on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 100, UR 90
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