a group of Å·²©ÍøÖ· basketball players in the gym


The Å·²©ÍøÖ· men’s basketball team made program history when they defeated Concordia 81-77 and won their first-ever Golden State Athletic Conference tournament championship on March 6.

It was the first GSAC tournament championship appearance for Å·²©ÍøÖ· in 10 years, and it was the first successful of four previous attempts at a win since Å·²©ÍøÖ· joined the conference in 1993-94.

Prior to the game, Å·²©ÍøÖ· was ranked No. 19 in the latest NAIA poll while Concordia was top-seeded at No. 4. The win improved the Eagles’ record to 25-8 for the season and marked their eighth consecutive win. Å·²©ÍøÖ· won all three of their games against Concordia this season, winning twice in a row at the CU arena in Irvine. Previously, Å·²©ÍøÖ· won only one game there in the last 10 years.

The GSAC tournament championship was the second major loss Concordia suffered to Å·²©ÍøÖ· in sports this year, as the men’s soccer team earned a GSAC title over Concordia in the fall.

Both the men's and women's basketball teams advanced to the NAIA Tournament, with each making it to the quarterfinal round before being eliminated.