California Lutheran University Kingsmen basketball (1-2) dropped their home opener against the Whitworth University Pirates (3-0) 81-76 on Thursday night in Gilbert Arena.
Head Coach Russell White said that his team not giving up was the only positive that he got out of his teamโs performance.
โThe only thing that is positive, really, is that we didnโt quit, you know, we were down 15, we cut it to one, and you know, we didnโt quit, so thatโs a positive, but we need to start, you know, if we want to be as good as we want to be, weโve got to play better early and do the right things,โ White said.
Senior guard Devon Lewis led the Kingsmen with 31 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists, and four steals during his 31 minutes on the court.
Lewis said that it felt good to get back out there in front of their supporters, but that the Kingsmen needed to start with more energy.
โI think just start with more fire, start locked in, take no plays off. I feel like we kind of took a couple plays off and just werenโt playing how we usually play to be honest, just on defense, our aggression, our fire, I feel like we could have came out with a lot more fire, and just compete way more, usually weโre dogs on defense and we just compete way more, we didnโt really get to do that today for some reason,โ Lewis said.
Senior guard Desi Burrage said the team is currently in a good position and must continue to remain positive.
โJust play our game, I think we went a little bit away from what weโve been practicing, and what he [Coach White] has been preaching, but like I said, like, film, weโve got to watch film, get back in the gym, and I think weโre in a good spot,โ Burrage said.
Burrage scored eight points, shooting 50% (3-6) from the field, while also collecting four rebounds to go along with one steal during the 21 minutes he was on the court.
White said his team must get back into the gym, continue to improve, and play their game.
โI tell them we need to get back to work and figure out how to get better and play the way we want to play. I mean, weโve got to play the way weโve been practicing and weโre not doing it,โ White said.
Senior Jake Martin scored 11 points and shot 50% (3-6) from the three-point marker.
Lewis said regardless of this loss, there are no lingering effects and they will continue to maintain a positive mindset going forward.
โIt might sting for a little bit, I donโt think itโs going to affect our mindset moving forward.We know weโre a great team and we just got to get better every day, look at the film, learn from the film, and from there just continue to grow.Itโs a long season so I donโt think this will affect us too much, we just got to get better moving forward and learn from our mistakes today,โ Lewis said.
Burrage said that the Kingsmen had a better second half than the first half. The Kingsmen were outscored by the Pirates 40-31 in the first half while in the second half, the Kingsmen outscored the Pirates 45-41.
โI mean weโve got to start like we started the second half. We had a slow first half and we kind of came back in the second but I think against really good teams, like, you canโt have those lapses. You have to start the same way we finished tonight,โ Burrage said.
The Kingsmen will play at home against the University of California, Santa Cruz on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
