CLU NOTES: CLU FALLS SHORT; WOMEN'S SEASON ENDS AT UCSD.

Byline: Patrick Hipes Daily News Staff Writer

Midway through the second half of the Cal Lutheran women's basketball NCAA regional at UC San Diego last Wednesday, Regals coach Tim La Kose could take it no longer.

A physical battle with the Tritons was getting more so, and La Kose finally told the referee about it. The ref responded by giving La Kose a technical foul.

Cal Lutheran responded as well, turning a 21-point deficit into a six-point one, but UC San Diego held on for a 62-56 victory at RIMAC Arena. It ended a surprisingly successful season for the Regals (17-8), who won their third Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in four years.

On Tuesday, three CLU players - senior forward Brandie Murrish (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg), junior center Missy Rider (12.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and freshman guard Nicole Sanchez (12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg) - were named to the All-SCIAC first team.

``It's been a fun ride,'' said La Kose, nursing a cold after a long season. ``After a tough start we came on really strong. I'm proud of our team.''

Against UCSD, the Regals trailed by 17 points at halftime but rallied after La Kose's best Bobby Knight impression.

``We didn't take care of the ball and we didn't shoot well,'' La Kose said. ``We didn't shoot one free throw in the first half (they shot three the entire game) and that's a big part of our game. I told the official we couldn't continue like this. I got my `T' and it inspired us.''

For the record, UC San Diego lost its second-round game 73-47 at St. Benedict (Minn.) on Saturday.

Despite the loss, La Kose said the team - losing only two seniors (Murrish and forward Monika Nagy) - is already excited for next year.

``No question about it,'' said La Kose, who has already circled a Nov. 29, 1998 home game with UC San Diego on his schedule. ``We're fired up already.''

Men's basketball wrap-up: The Kingsmen (15-10) came within a game of the SCIAC title, this after playing through numerous injuries and counting on freshmen to help carry the load.

``Some freshmen had to play major roles for us this year,'' said coach Rich Rider, whose team won 11 of its last 13 games. ``They got valuable experience.''

The NCAA Division III tournament was reduced from 64 to 48 teams this season, Rider said, a fact that probably denied his team a spot in the West Regional. But with those freshmen - Cory Johnson, Richard Iskanderian, Danny Sweeney and Jake Stewart - returning, a future NCAA berth is looming.

``Hopefully they can bump (the number of tourney teams) up again next year,'' Rider said. ``There's been talk about it.''

Mike Dulaney (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Mike Salser (16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) made first-team all-SCIAC, while point guard Johnny Allen (7.7 ppg, 6.6 apg) was named to the second team.

THE Mel Kiper?: CLU sports information director John Czimbal got a call this week from well-known NFL draft expert and ESPN commentator Mel Kiper, Jr., asking after three-time All-American punter Jeff Shea.

``We talked for about 15 seconds,'' Czimbal said. ``He was just verifying stats leading up to the NFL draft (April 18-19). He said Jeff would get some tryouts.''

Shea has been courted by most NFL teams, with numerous scouts attending Cal Lutheran's games. He was one of two Division III players in January's Hula Bowl, a college all-star football game in Hawaii.

``When he calls,'' said Czimbal, chuckling, ``it pretty much makes it official.''

Baseball bash: After sweeping SCIAC bottom-dweller Cal Tech over the weekend, the Kingsmen baseball team (13-2, 11-1) remained tied for first place with Redlands.

In Saturday's doubleheader sweep, center fielder Adam Rauch and catcher Bill Finnerty played all nine positions, only the sixth and seventh players in school history to do so.

Not coincidentally, all seven players have done it against Cal Tech.

SCIAC HONORS All-conference basketball teams

Men's: Mike Salser (Cal Lutheran), Mike Dulaney (Cal Lutheran), Brian Smith (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps), Kevin Gustafson (La Verne), Vaughan Wilson (Pomona-Pitzer), Steve Iverson (Pomona-Pitzer). Player of the Year - Jake Guadnola (Pomona Pitzer)

Women's: Missy Rider (Cal Lutheran), Brandie Murrish (Cal Lutheran), Nicole Sanchez (Cal Lutheran), Felicia Davis (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps), Heather Johnson (La Verne), Lori Johnson (La Verne). Player of the Year - Anna Celaya (Occidental)

CAPTION(S):

Photo, 2 Boxes

PHOTO Brandie Murrish, who averaged 11.2 points, was one of three Regals named to the All-SCIAC first team.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News

BOX: (1) SCIAC honors (See text)

(2) Upcoming events