Responding in a Huge Way

Friday, November 11

San Marcos, Calif.

7:30 PM

California Baptist University

3-1

Cal State San Marcos

0-1

California Baptist

Cal State San Marcos

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

Responding in a Huge Way

11/11/2016 10:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

SAN MARCOS, Calif. — No. 2-ranked California Baptist University bounced back from last week's loss in a huge way with an 83-51 victory over Cal State San Marcos Friday night.

The Lancers improve to 3-1 overall, while the Cougars open the season 0-1.

"We really wanted to focus today on improving from last weekend," said senior guard Erin Asher. "We wanted to make sure that we were improving a lot on our team defense and helping each other out so our offense can flow."

Cassidy Mihalko led all scorers with 24 points (10-for-13), while also dishing out two assists and finishing with nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Courtney Nelson added another 15 (5-for-10) and Tori Mitchell grabbed a career-high 13 points at the post. Asher was just outside a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds and a game-high five assists.

As a team, CBU boasted a 50.0 shooting percentage and out-rebounded CSUSM 40-to-32.

Mitchell got the scoring going for CBU, scoring a put-back to open the game. The Cougars scored a free throw, but Kamille Diaz rattled in a three to give the Lancers a 5-1 lead early on.

CSUSM cut the margin to just one possession, 11-9, but CBU went off on a 7-0 spurt to take its first double-digit lead of the night. Nelson started the run with a shot from the perimeter and Mitchell posted up under the basket to cap it, putting the Lancers in front 18-9 and coasting to a 22-16 after the first quarter.

Mihalko opened the second frame with two chances at the line, setting CBU sprinting out to a 37-18 lead on a 15-2 run. Diaz, Nelson and Asher all joined Mihalko in scoring during the spree before CSUSM could catch a break.

The Lancers still walked into halftime with a 45-27 cushion.

Mihalko and Nelson helped CBU build back its 20-point lead and then some, with four-straight free throws. CSUSM stayed with the Lancers and brought it back down to just 11 points, but it was the closest the Cougars would get for the remainder of the game.

CBU finished the last 10 minutes on a tear, outscoring CSUSM 26-to-8 in the fourth to take the game 83-51 – the Lancers' highest margin of victory since their 82-50 win over Notre Dame de Namur back in February of this year.

The Lancers continue at CSUSM, taking on No. 17-ranked UC San Diego Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CBU comes home for a 7 p.m. matchup against Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday, Nov. 17.