Westmont Magazine Big Basketball News

The men’s basketball team jumped out to a strong start with a 15-1 record (3-0 in GSAC). For the first time in 40 years, they defeated cross-town rival UCSB 54-53.

By mid-January they had reached No. 3 in the NAIA national rankings and defeated Azusa Pacific, ranked in the NAIA top 10.

Forward Brian Gomes ’99 earned honors as the NAIA Player of the Week, and was also recognized as the GSAC Player of the Week. He was named the Most Valuable Player of Westmont’s Tom Byron Classic Invitational Tournament, which the Warriors won.

The women’s basketball team, resuming play after an 18-year hiatus, began the season 5-0 and were 8-7 at press time, 0-3 in the GSAC. Coach Curt Pickering’s goal for the season is establishing the foundation for a successful women’s program.