All the Men 1965

"We've played the toughest independent schedule in Cali– fornia, bar none." With this short phrase, Coach Phil Woolpert summarized the most successful basketball season in University history which had closed only minutes before when the Toreros had gained that long sought after 15th victory. That fifteenth win for the season seemed like it might not come when after winning game fourteen, the Toreros dropped four consecutive contests before facing Chapman College in the season finale and there stopping the Chapman club on a 65-61 count. The University season was fairly well a sea-saw affair, with both the longest win streak, and the most lengthy losing streak numbering four. After starting the year with an 83-78 victory over highly re– garded Pepperdine, the team dropped games to Los Angeles State and Loyola, before returning to defeat Long Beach State. However the second game with long Beach saw John Rambo, Olympic high jump medalist lead the visitors to an 85-75 victory. Following a loss to Whittier the Toreros entered the Cal Western tournament with a season record of 2-4. However, the tourney gave the team an opportunity to consolidate which they did by posting victories over Southern Utah, 69-58, and Cal Western 43-42 for the college division championship in this tournament. On the third eve of play, the Toreros faced the Armed Services division winner, Phibpac and scored a 68-53 victory to take the tournament at all levels. Cliff Ashford led the team scoring 24, 12, and 17 points respectively in each of the three contests. A three game jaunt through Montana was successfully handled as the Toreros slashed Carroll College 70-53, slipped by University of Montana 68-67 and were defeated 68-63 by Montana State College. Upon returning to their home court, the Toreros found them– selves preparing to host their own tournament ... a tournament for which Homecoming activities were scheduled. With a definite desire to please the alumni, the Toreros dis– posed of Cal State at Fullerton 87-67 in their first game, and then went on to knock over hapless Cal Western 68-52 which was losing its second tourney in less than a month to the Toreros. Days later, the team played in their third tournament ... though they were not quite so fortunate as they had been in the previous two. Their first contest against Chapman provided them their season high in points as they defeated the Panthers 101-91.