Classic Finish

Sunday, November 1

Carson, Calif.

8:30 PM

California Baptist University

3-0

Upper Iowa

0-3

Upper Iowa

California Baptist

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

11/1/2015 9:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

CARSON, Calif. — No. 11-ranked California Baptist University came out looking to close the CCA Tipoff Classic out on a high note, but had to fight through some adversity late. Despite a late push from Upper Iowa, and a bit of a scare right before the buzzer, the Lancers held on for a 77-75 win in the tournament finale Sunday night.

The Lancers keep their season unblemished, moving to 3-0 on the young year. The Peacocks fall to 0-3.

Michael Smith had another big game, scoring 26 points — just one shy of his career high — on 9-for-15 shooting and snagged 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the year. Kalidou Diouf followed with 14 points (7-for-10), while Gelaun Wheelwright (5-for-11) and Trevone Williams (5-for-9) rounded out the scorers in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

CBU opened on a 6-1 run, with Smith capping the run by spinning off his defender to lay in his shot. The Peacocks battled back and jumped in front briefly, 12-8, but the Lancers responded by scoring six-straight points off back-to-back three-pointers from Wheelwright to take back their lead.

As much as they tried, the Lancers couldn't quite shake the Peacocks, as UIU kept it close until CBU made a move. With the score at 28-26, Diouf made three unanswered buckets to put his team in front 34-26. CBU extended its lead to double-digits at 42-31 as multiple Lancers grabbed offensive rebounds before Smith finally put the ball in the hoop.

Still, the Peacocks wouldn't let the Lancers run away with the score before halftime, cutting their deficit to just two possessions at 45-40.

UIU came out of the break fired up and opened with an 8-0 run before CBU had to call a timeout to regroup.

Back on track, Smith cut the run by driving to the basket, putting the Lancers within one at 48-47, but UIU scored on its next possession. Once again, Smith cut it to one point and CBU got a stop on defense, drawing an offensive foul on the Peacocks. The Lancers put the ball back in Smith's hands, allowing him to drain a triple from the corner to give CBU back its lead 53-52.

The Peacocks took back their lead, but the Lancers still had 12 full minutes left to take control of the game.

Jordan Giusti brought CBU within one point by knocking down a three from the corner and Jordan Heading spun off his defender to find nothing but net. The Lancers got stops on defense and built up a run of its own, scoring nine unanswered points to take a 65-60 lead.

The game remained close as the two teams headed down the stretch. Smith sank two shots at the line to give CBU a 71-64 cushion with five minutes remaining on the clock.

As the clock wound down, the Lancers tried to shave seconds off by taking their time on their possessions. The Peacocks, however, turned on the pressure and hit a three to cut the margin to two possessions, 77-72.

The Peacocks made things interesting with six seconds on the clock, draining a three-point shot and then forced a turnover to get the ball back, down two, 77-75. A Peacock drove to the basket but the shot didn't fall as Williams grabbed the rebound to secure the 77-75 victory.

CBU heads to Northern Arizona for an exhibition game on Nov. 6 before opening at home on Nov. 13 for the PacWest/California Collegiate Athletic Association Challenge. The Lancers tip off against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 7:00 p.m. in Van Dyne.