Raining Threes

Saturday, November 15

Riverside

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

2-0

106

Cal State Monterey Bay

1-1

CSUMB

California Baptist

106

Gelaun Wheelwright went 5-for-6 from the perimeter to lead CBU with 23 points.

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

11/15/2014 8:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — After being held to six three-pointers last night, the No. 24-ranked California Baptist University Lancers found shots from distance Saturday to take a 106-79 win over Cal State Monterey Bay.

The win pushes the Lancers to 2-0 on the season and remain unbeaten in the all-time series with the Otters. It also keeps CBU's home record under head coach Rick Croy unblemished.

"We had a good rhythm offensively," said Croy. "We knew CSUMB wanted to push the ball and play at a high pace, too, which we respected. The game got going and our confidence increased from there."

Five Lancers finished the night scoring in double figures, with two others just on the cusp. As a team, CBU finished the night with a 57.4-percentage from the field and 55.6-percentage from distance.

"We have a bunch of guys that get in the gym and make sure their jumpshot is on point so they can shoot the way we did tonight," said Gelaun Wheelwright, who went 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. "If teams play us like CSUMB did, we'll give them the same treatment."

Wheelwright led CBU with a game-high 23 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 shooting from the perimeter. Ryan Berg followed with 20 points, sinking three three-point shots and going 6-for-11 inside the arc. Trevone Williams was just one point shy of Berg's tally, finishing with 19 points (8-for-11). Rounding out CBU's double-digit scorers were Jordan Giusti and Michael Smith, each with 10 points.

"To know that my teammates supported me and had my back means a lot," said Wheelwright. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates, I give the credit to them."

The Lancers started dropping threes right from the get-go as Berg sank the first of the night to give CBU a quick 3-0 lead.

CSUMB brought the score within two at 12-10, before the Lancers sprinted off on a 13-0 run to take a commanding lead. Berg kept the shots from distance coming to double the Otters' points, sending a high-arching ball straight through the hoop from deep to put the score at 32-17 in favor of CBU.

With eight minutes to go before halftime, CSUMB cut the lead into single digits, but the Lancers jumped back into double-digit territory, 37-23, as Giusti made a layup and Eividas Petrulis finished his shot from beyond the arc.

The Lancers closed the half on a 10-3 run to go into the locker room with a 22-point cushion at 57-35.

Looking to carry over their 66.7-shooting percentage from the perimeter in the first half,,CBU started to run away with the game as Eric Hunt showed strength down low to finish a layup and then grabbed a defensive rebound to keep the Otters off the board. The rebound led to yet another three as Williams sank one in the corner to put the score at 93-66.

"We have a lot of guys who can hit the three," said Croy. "When they move the ball well, it's hard to keep track of that many guys. We know we're dangerous from the three, we just need to utilize it at the right time."

With momentum clearly in its hands, CBU went into triple-digit territory at 101-72 with 3:33 left to play after Smith drove to the basket.

Despite the Otters putting on the pressure, the Lancers made difficult shots, while forcing CSUMB to attempt some of its own. Wheelwright closed out the game with two shots at the line to give CBU the 106-79 victory.

"Our team works on improving each game," said Croy. "Our understanding of how selfless you need to be in our system is improving."

CBU continues its home stand next week as it hosts Cal State L.A. on Wednesday and San Francisco State on Saturday. Both games are slated for a 7:00 p.m. tip off in the Van Dyne Gym.