The historic run of the University of Redlands men’s basketball team has ended.
The Bulldogs (25-5) lost 75-65 on Saturday night to host New York University in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division 3 tournament.
Redlands trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before rallying. The Bulldogs cut the Violets’ lead to four points with 3:02 left in the game. But NYU went on an 11-4 run to finish the game.
Omari Ferguson led Redlands with 19 points and seven rebounds. Kendrick Currey contributed 15 points and six assists. Lucas Gordon scored 11 points and took 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Redlands struggled from the free throw line, making 7 of 16.
The Bulldogs’ 25 wins are the second most in program history, behind the 27 wins of the 1960-61 team. Redlands also won the conference title and made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 12 years, and had the program’s first tourney win in 40 years.
“It’s tough to go our like this but it’s been a hell of a journey,” Gordon said. “We’ve paved the way for the younger guys and have set an example and I just love my brothers.”
AZUSA PACIFIC IS BACK
The Azusa Pacific University football program, halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, is returning.
A former NCAA Division II program, Azusa Pacific is coming back as a D3 program. It will join the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference where the University of Redlands resides for the 2028-29 academic year. Also joining the SCIAC that year is Whittier College.
The Cougars this fall may also become an integrated conference member.
The SCIAC schools playing football in 2028-29 will be Redlands, Azusa Pacific, Whittier, Pomona-Pitzer, La Verne, Chapman, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Cal Lutheran.
“The return of football is momentous for APU,” Azusa Pacific president Adam J. Morris said in a school release.
Azusa Pacific is where bruising former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye played.
The Cougars are now searching for a football coach.
TOLSTOVA MAKES MARK
Former Redlands High girls volleyball star Julia Tolstova excelled this season as a freshman at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The 5-foot-11 Tolstova had 293 kills, seven assists, and 99 digs for the Engineers.
Tolstova was named the female athlete of the year last year at Redlands High. She led the Terriers to two consecutive Citrus Belt League titles and was twice named league most valuable player.
SAMANIEGO MAKES CHOICE
Redlands native and Yucaipa High volleyball player Bella Samaniego has made her decision. Samaniego will play volleyball and attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the fall.
“Beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve my country, compete at the collegiate level, and take on the challenge ahead,” Samaniego said via social media.
CBL SEASON BEGINS
The CBL baseball season begins on Friday. Citrus Valley is at Yucaipa, Redlands is at Redlands East Valley, and Cajon is at Beaumont. All games begin at 4 p.m.
VISITING BLEACHERS GOING UP
The visiting bleachers at the Redlands East Valley High stadium are now being constructed. The home side and the press box were already in place.
This means that all scheduled home REV football games will be played on campus in 2025. It also means the annual Smudge Pot Game against rival Redlands set for 2026 will be at REV. Previous Smudge Pot games have been at alternate sites such as the University of Redlands and Citrus Valley.
FONTANA SCHOOL SEEK ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
It’s a good time for those seeking athletic leadership roles. Both Summit and A.B. Miller high schools of Fontana are looking for new athletic directors, according to edjoin, a well-known school job board.
Jeff Omar has been the athletic director at Miller since 2015. Rob Peterson has been the AD at Summit since 2018.
Another prominent area hire will happen soon at San Gorgonio High where the Spartans will choose a new football coach.
Reach John Murphy at berdooman@gmail.com and follow him at @PrepDawg2.
