CLU Sports

HONOLULU, Haw. - The California Lutheran University men's basketball team split a pair of contests at the 2008 Surf's Up Classic on Friday and Saturday. The Kingsmen defeated George Fox (OR) University 76-70 to open before dropping its first game of the season by a 78-65 margin to Pacific (OR) University on Saturday.

The Bruins stormed out to an early 11-point lead behind a 16-point first half performance from Jack Martin. However the Kingsmen outscored GFU 33-15 the final 13 minutes of the opening half.

George Fox went 12-for-26 from beyond the arc with a Travis Toedtemeier three providing a 51-49 advantage for the Bruins--its only second half lead of the game.

Cal Lutheran's Andy Meier went for a day one tournament best 26 points to go along with nine rebounds. Four players on each squad scored in double figures.

Following 55 fouls and 78 free throws combined the Boxers handed Cal Lutheran its first loss of the season. Pacific never trailed in large part to a 13-2 run to open the game. Cal Lutheran struggled from three going 4-for-23 (.174) over the past two games.

Pacific led by as many as 24 (twice) in the second half before a late Cal Lutheran run closed the gap.

Four players on each squad scored in double figures with Pacific's Garold Howe leading the all with 18 points. Kyle Knudsen scored 15 to pace CLU.

Kingsmen freshman Marquis Johnson played 26 minutes off the bench scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds.

On day one Pacific came back from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Whittier, 86-73. Whittier was able to extend its lead to double figures by the half but early foul trouble caught up to the Poets. PU's Garold Howe had a game-high 23 points on an efficient 8-of-11 from the floor with brothers Bartlett, Ross adding 20 and Carson 14. This trio played a large part in a 39-16 run to open the second half. Whittier's Marcus Gibson had a team-high 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

To close out the event George Fox defeated the Poets, 87-77. GFU's Martin displayed his shooting accuracy from long range scoring 37 points (27 in the first half) on 12-of-17 shooting including an 8-for-11 afternoon from three. Martin also had six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He averaged 28 points per game over both games.

The Bruins led by only six at the half due to steady inside play from Whittier's Michael Archuletta and DaMon Perry's combined 39 points and 14 rebounds.

Cal Lutheran (3-1) will have an 11-day layoff before facing La Sierra University on the road Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. The Kingsmen won its season opener against the Golden Eagles at home just eight days ago with a 76-52 victory.

Box Score: CLU 76, GFU 70 F
Box Score: PAC 78, CLU 65 F