BILLINGS, Mont. — As the No. 3-ranked team in Division II, California Baptist University can't sneak up on anyone anymore. The Lancers didn't need to, though, as they steamrolled to a 72-52 victory over Montana State-Billings Friday night.
 
The win puts CBU 1-0 to open the season, while the Yellow Jackets begin 0-1.
 
Three Lancers finished the night in double figures, but only one had a monstrous night. Darsha Burnside, the 2014-15 NCAA Division II Double-Double Stat Champion, posted her first of what may be many double-doubles, grabbing 20 points (9-for-15) and 19 rebounds.
 
Courtney Nelson followed with 13 points on 4-for-10 shooting, while Cassidy Mihalko contributed 10 points (2-for-9).
 
Burnside opened with the first points of the night, putting back a missed shot to give CBU a lead it never saw disappear for the first quarter as CBU led 18-14 after the first 10 minutes.
 
While the four-quarter system may be new to the women's game, the Lancers didn't look out of place as they took their first double-digit of the night at 27-15 with 6:21 left in the second quarter. Mihalko put in her own rebound before Megan Frerer banked in a jump shot to put CBU in front by 12.
 
MSUB battled back, however, to tie the game at 30-30 with just over 30 seconds before halftime and then took the lead with eight seconds to go.
 
Coming out of the break down 32-30, CBU fought back and took back its lead about two minutes into the third quarter. Burnside got an 11-0 run going as she rattled in a shot from Nelson. Mihalko finished four shots at the line in the span, while Burnside grabbed another two points and Nelson sank a three.
 
The Yellow Jackets cut the run before CBU could really get going, but struggled to keep the visitors at bay. After MSUB cut within just four points, 43-39, the Lancers scored seven-straight points to go back in front by double-digits, 50-39. Erin Asher drained a three off an assist from Kamille Diaz to give CBU the 11-point lead.
 
In the final 10 minutes, CBU couldn't be stopped, looking a lot like it had en route to the NCAA Division II Championship game last season. Nelson fueled a 7-0 run, scoring a triple, jumper and two free throws — along with a Diaz trey — to give the Lancers a commanding 21-point lead.
 
Frerer hit a three at the 2:45 mark that all-but-sealed the 72-52 victory for the Lancers.
 
CBU looks to continue the season on a positive note, taking on Simon Fraser Saturday, still in Billings, Mont. The Lancers open at home on Thursday, Nov. 19, as they host Northwest Nazarene.