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The quiet university provided little enthusiasm for the
travel weary team as they won two of five more away games
before the smiles and encouragement of familiar faces
greeted them again.
The first home game in more than a month brought a hot
shooting Aztec team across town. Key buckets in the final
minutes for the Aztecs put a damper on the homecoming
with State netting the win 70-67.
With the season quickly moving along the team had not
yet lived up to its forecast potential. The fast break offense
and the hustling and alert defense that the young mentor
had envisioned for a nationally rated team was realized only
on occasion. It was frustrating for the players and the
coaches to have an abundance of talent and be so close to
greatness and yet miles away at times.
Little All American Gus Magee patrolled the pivot for a
third record breaking year as h e led the team in scoring and
rebounding, grabbing a season high of 24 in beating Cal
Poly Pomona.
Substituting freely Coach Bickerstaff got help when need
ed from all his players. Oscar Foster and Johnny Otis played
the wild, gambling style of ball that excites crowds. The big
front line controlled the backboards all year with Bob Scot-
Ian, Jeff Filzenger, Gie Simpson, and Jim Usher picking up
the slack and carrying the momentum when called upon.
Mel Arnerich, Neal Schram, and John Boone kept the team
running and came up with the hot hand on given nights.
Mel scored a season high 33 points against UC San Diego.
Senior guard, Neal Schram took charge as the season moved
along and sparked some late rallies and hit game winning
shots in the clutch.
The Torero five put it together in their 10 game home
stand as th ey beat some of the top teams on the West Coast.
Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State, Los Angeles State, and UC
Riverside fell to the Toreros.
Chances for a bid to the College Division Regionals
seemed within their grasp. With just two games remaining
the hope was shattered as the bid went to UC Riverside,
twice defeated by USD. Disappointed and tired they lost the
final two games to close at 14-12.
The gym is quiet now, and only the memory of the excite
ment remains.
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