Shake It Off

Saturday, November 29

Riverside

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

5-1

Cal State Stanislaus

2-2

Cal State Stanislaus

California Baptist

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

11/29/2014 9:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Shaking off last night's result, No. 11-ranked California Baptist University came back in a huge way to defeat Cal State Stanislaus 80-53 Saturday night.

"We played a really good team in Texas A&M-Commerce last night and didn't play our brand of basketball," said head coach Rick Croy. "We still defended well and had a chance to win at the end. Close games can go either way and a bunch of things didn't go our way. We took an L and our guys came back with a great effort today. Very proud of the response."

The Lancers now stand 5-1 on the season before starting conference, while the Warriors—who are receiving votes in the NCAA Division II poll—fall to 2-2 overall.

Five Lancers finished the night in double figures, led by Gelaun Wheelwright with 15 points (5-for-11). Taj Spencer (3-for-8), Ryan Berg (4-for-6) and Michael Smith (4-for-9) each added 12 points to CBU's tally, while Eividas Petrulis rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11 points. Jordan Giusti boasted an impressive 7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio to help the Lancers offensively.

"Our ball movement was great tonight," said Croy. "Everyone was doing their job so we were able to use our depth and really wear people out."

CBU, which ranks in the top-50 of statistical defensive categories in NCAA Division II, held CSUS to a 32.1 shooting percentage and outrebounded the Warriors 42-to-38.

"Our guys are committed defensively," said Croy. "We have to stay committed. Offensively we play off our depth—we have a lot of guys who can score—and we'll keep improving. We want to keep defending at a high level."

For the first 18 points of the night, neither team could really get a run going. Down 10-8, CBU went on a 13-point streak to gain its first significant lead of the night. Petrulis sparked the run by driving to the basket and Berg sank a three from distance to put the home team in front 21-10.

The Warriors battled back within three at 30-27, but CBU ended the half on a 12-4 run to hold a 42-31 cushion at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Lancers kept their offensive pressure on to open the first four minutes with a 9-1 run. Gelaun Wheelwright rattled in a three to give CBU a commanding 49-32 lead and Berg knocked in a layup off the backboard to complete the run.

The Lancers broke away from the Warriors with about 10 minutes left to play, extending their lead into double digits.

As the two teams headed down the stretch, CSUS tried to stay with CBU, but just couldn't hang with the home squad as the Lancers finished their chances at the line to grab the 80-57 win.

CBU takes a break from non-conference action as it opens PacWest play on Saturday, Dec. 6, against No. 17-ranked Dixie State. The two conference rivals tip off in the Van Dyne Gym at 7:00 p.m.