RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In the early stages of the season, it seems no one is able to contain No. 3-ranked California Baptist University. Saturday afternoon, the Lancers grabbed their fourth-straight victory by 20 or more points, downing Humboldt State 91-67.
 
With the win, CBU improves to 4-0, averaging a 22.3 scoring margin per game. The Lumberjacks fall to 1-3 to start the year.
 
"We played pretty well, and everyone contributed," said Coach Jarrod Olson.
 
Just like they had two days before, the Lancers had a balanced attack with five players finishing the game in double figures. Cassidy Mihalko led CBU with 20 points (8-for-13). Darsha Burnside followed with 16 points, just missing one shot from the floor (7-for-8), and Kamille Diaz (6-for-14) and Emma Meriggioli (5-for-10) each added 15 points. Erin Asher rounded out the quintet, ending with 13 points (5-for-8).
 
The Lancers dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Jacks 53-to-38, led by Burnside's 15 boards to give the reigning NCAA Division II Double-Double Stat Champion her third double-double of the year. Mihalko and Diaz each snagged nine rebounds, just on the cusp of double-doubles.
 
"Cass and Kamille did a great job rebounding and we had a real nice balance on offense," said Olson.
 
HSU hung with CBU in the early stages of the first period, even holding a three-point lead at one time, 3-0, but it was only a matter of time before the Lancers found their groove. In front 13-10, CBU went on a 19-2 run to hold a commanding 32-12 cushion after the first period.
 
Courtney Nelson — who was just on the brink of double-digits with nine points — initiated the run with a jump shot off an assist from Asher. The Lancers kept the Jacks from getting good looks on offense to keep the run going. Burnside kicked out a pass to Mihalko with 20 seconds before the break before HSU could cut the scoring spree with a layup.
 
The Jacks tried to chip away at the margin in the second period, even slicing it down to 13 points, 41-28, but CBU kept its composure and went into halftime with a 47-31 upper hand.
 
Back-to-back CBU layups opened the second half as Burnside posted up under the basket off a pass from Meriggioli. The freshman then got on the other side of scoring by driving to the basket herself.
 
HSU cut it to 69-54 just 30 seconds into the fourth, but Megan Frerer responded by laying in a pass from Nelson. The Jacks scored a free throw, but five consecutive points from Mihalko put the Lancers back in front by 20 or more points, 76-55.
 
Once again, the Jacks tried to chip away at the score line and turned on a high press to bring the score to 76-59 heading down the stretch. CBU responded with a 13-0 run to hold the largest lead of the night, 89-59.
 
Asher got the run started by driving to the basket and three-straight shots from beyond the arc — from Meriggioli, Diaz and Asher — gave the Lancers the huge cushion.
 
The Jacks couldn't fight back from that, as CBU walked away with the 91-67 victory.
 
"We had a real good spirit and hopefully we can continue to play well, as we have some tough games coming up," said Olson.
 
CBU gets a little time to recover before hosting a Thanksgiving tournament the Friday and Saturday after the holiday. The Lancers tip off against Cal State L.A. on Friday at 2:00 p.m., before hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills at the same time on Saturday.