Starting Off In Dramatic Fashion
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- With 5.6 seconds left on the clock, California Baptist University showed its flair for the dramatics as Erin Asher sunk a jumper to beat the buzzer and lift the Lancers over Cal State San Bernardino, 65-64.
The win starts the Lancers' 2013 campaign with a 1-0 record, while CSUSB opens at 0-1.
“I was really proud of our effort today,” said head coach Jarrod Olson. “It was nice to see them keep composure in such a tight game. Even to the last shot, you could see the team believed it would win the game.”
Elise Shelton led the Lancers with 16 points, followed by Ashley Jones and Jasmine Sauser with 11 points each. Jones finished the day with 10 rebounds to complete her first double-double of the young season.
“Elise, Ashley and Jasmine set the tone for us with their rebounding and their scoring,” said Olson.
In the opening sequence, the Coyotes took a quick lead, but the Lancers battled to hang with them. With the score at 7-6 in favor of CSUSB, the Coyotes went on a six-point run to open up their lead at 13-6.
The lead was short-lived, however as CBU put together its own multi-point run to even the score at 13-13. The Lancers continued on a 4-1 run to take their first lead of the game and despite relinquishing it for a brief period of time, CBU held on to the lead, leading 31-26 at halftime.
CBU opened up its advantage in the first four minutes of the second frame, leading by as many as eight points, but CSUSB battled back.
As the game came down to the wire heading down the stretch, each point became more and more crucial.
With less than a minute left in the contest, Adriana Brodie put the game within one, 63-62, in favor of the Lancers. Tayllor Gipson finished two clutch free throw shots from the line to take the lead, 64-63, with just 5.6 left on the clock.
Olson called a timeout and the Lancers drove down the court. From just inside the arc, Asher sent off a buzzer-beating shot that fell through the net with ease to give the Lancers the 65-64 win.
“At the end, Erin made a huge play when we needed it most,” said Olson. “She showed real determination on the last play. “
As a team, the Lancers forced the Coyotes to shoot under eight percent from beyond the arc and register a 5-to-17 assist-to-turnover ratio. Offensively, CBU shot 38.2-percent from the field, including a 41.7 clip in the second half.
“I am very happy for our team,” said Olson. “CSUSB is a tough team and we are happy with the result. Hopefully we can build on this win going forward.”
