Box Score NAMPA, Ida. — Last year, a buzzer-beater lifted California Baptist University in its home opener. This year there was another buzzer-beater, but this time, the Lancers were on the wrong end of it. It didn't seal their fate, however, just send the season opener into overtime, allowing the Lancers to battle for a 68-64 victory over Central Washington.
The win gives the Lancers a 1-0 start to the new season, while the Wildcats fall to 0-1 to begin play.
Darsha Burnside led CBU with 20 points (9-for-14) on the night in 22 minutes of action.
Megan Brown followed with 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field, 1-for-2 from distance and a perfect 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.
Cassidy Mihalko was just on the cusp of double figures, ending the night with nine points (3-for-10).
"Tonight was a good win for us," said head coach Jarrod Olson. "Megan and Chanel [Cambronero] made some big plays for us down the stretch. Darsha was huge inside and kept us in it most of the night."It was a battle from the beginning as each team exchanged buckets to open the contest. CBU scored first off a layup from
Kamille Diaz, but the Wildcats hung with the Lancers and evened the score at 12-12. Neither team could quite jump out in front, tying six times in the half, before CWU held a 25-21 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Wildcats opened their advantage to seven points at 28-21, but CBU wasn't about to let the score get out of hand into double-digit territory. Back-to-back buckets from Burnside put CBU back in front by one, 31-30.
The Wildcats took back their lead, but it didn't last. Down by two at 40-38, CBU scored five consecutive points off a three-pointer from
Madeleine White and a layup from
Erin Asher to jump in front 44-40.
Things remained close heading down the stretch as CBU clung to a 50-46 upperhand. With eight seconds remaining in regulation, Brown sank both her chances at the line to put the Lancers up by three. CWU wasn't out yet, however, as Ericka Locker sank her shot from distance before the buzzer went off to force extra time.
Cambronero grabbed a crucial steal to pick up the first two points of overtime, but the Wildcats answered right back. Tied for the last time at 62-62, the Lancers closed out the last two minutes with a 6-2 run to take the game 68-64.
CBU turns around to face Northwest Nazarene tomorrow with a 12:00 p.m. PT tip off.
