Confidence Booster

Friday, November 6

Flagstaff, Ariz.

5:30 PM

California Baptist University

3-0

Northern Arizona (exhibition)

0-0

Cal Baptist

Northern Arizona

Photo by: Nick Canaday

11/6/2015 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Although the win doesn't count toward California Baptist University's 2015-16 record, Friday night's 89-70 victory over NCAA Division I foe Northern Arizona gives the Lancers some added confidence in the young season.

Not that they need it, after all, they went 3-0 to open the season at the CCA Tipoff Classic, including upsetting No. 9 Minnesota State-Moorhead. It does, however, give CBU momentum as it returns home to host the PacWest/California Collegiate Athletic Association Conference Challenge, sponsored by the County of Riverside EDA, next weekend.

Four Lancers ended the night in double figures, led by Gelaun Wheelwright with 20 points (6-for-13). Michael Smith (4-for-11) and Trevone Williams (5-for-12) each added 13 points to the mix, while Taj Spencer chipped in 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Jordan Giusti (3-for-7) and Jordan Heading (2-for-10 FG, 4-for-4 FT) were just one point shy of double-digits, both finishing with nine points on the night.

Off the glass, CBU dominated the D-1 Jacks, outrebounding them 51-35. Kalidou Diouf accounted for 10 of the 51 boards, while Smith was just two rebounds shy of a double-double as he grabbed eight on the night.

While NAU may have opened with the first bucket of the night, the 2-0 lead didn't last long. Even at 10-10, the Lancers went on an 8-0 run off back-to-back triples from Wheelwright and a layup from Diouf to take the first major lead of the night, 18-10. Two Jack free throws cut the margin to six points, 18-12, before CBU took its largest cushion of the night at 27-12. Alexander Birketoft initiated the run by draining a three-point shot and Spencer dunked it in to keep the run going.

Despite the double-digit upper hand, CBU's momentum halted momentarily as the Jacks came charging back in the game to cut it to just one possession, 34-31 with just under three-and-a-half minutes left in the half. The Lancers tried to build back their lead and finished the half on a six-point run to walk into halftime with a 46-37 lead.

Right out of the gates in the second half, Smith sank his shot from the perimeter off an assist from Michael Robinson to put the Lancers back in front by double-digits. NAU scored two points in the paint, but Wheelwright rattled in another triple to put CBU in front 52-39 with a lot of time still left on the clock (18:37).

The Jacks tried to claw their way back into the contest, cutting it to 54-49, but the Lancers started to make their move at 56-50. Heading found nothing but net as he finished a shot from beyond the arc and Trevone Williams got in on the three-point action by draining a deep shot. Diouf kept the run going off a fastbreak layup off an assist from Marquise Mosley before NAU could end the run.

Feeling in control, the Lancers grabbed their largest lead of the night at 89-64 with two minutes to play. CBU kept hot from the perimeter as Wheelwright finished a triple to make it a 25-point margin. NAU scored five more points in the final two minutes of action, but it wasn't enough to overpower the Lancers as they grabbed the game 89-70.

CBU returns home to host the PacWest/CCAA Conference Challenge next week, taking on Cal State Dominguez Hills in the home opener on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m. The 13th is fitting for the matchup as its the 13th time the Toros and Lancers will have faced each other.