Setting The Record Straight

Thursday, March 5

Irvine, CA

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

23-5

Hawaii Pacific

16-11

Hawaii Pacific

California Baptist

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

Setting The Record Straight

3/5/2015 6:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

IRVINE, Calif. — No. 19-ranked California Baptist University entered the PacWest Championship with a chip on its shoulder, ready to compete. The Lancers did just that with a record 99-84 dominance over Hawaii Pacific.

"It was a hard-fought game," said head coach Rick Croy. "We only got to play them once during the regular season so our guys had a feel for them, but we knew when we played them the first time around they didn't play very well. We knew we were going to get a great fight tonight. They're hard to stop scoring and lucky for us, the ball was going in."

CBU improves to 23-5 on the season and moves on to the semifinal round, while the Sharks end their season with a 16-11 mark.

"Our focus is on right now, the opportunities and moments in front of us," said Croy, whose team could potentially host the first round of the NCAA Divison II West Region if the Lancers were to move up one spot to the No. 1 team of the region. "We want to keep competing and possibly get the home floor. We love playing in Van Dyne and we know that's at stake."

Not only did the 99 points tie a PacWest tournament record, so did the 15 three-pointers the Lancers knocked down. Gelaun Wheelwright played a huge role in CBU's success from the perimeter, hitting eight triples on the night — just one shy of tying the tournament record. The junior finished with a career-high 28 points (9-for-18, 8-for-13 3PT).

"I give all the credit to my teammates, they tell me all the time to keep shooting whether I'm missing or making it," said Wheelwright. "The confidence they have in me helps me play well."

Michael Smith also got in on the record action, tying a PacWest tournament record for most field goals scored in a single game with 10 on the night. The sophomore was just two points off Wheelwright, also grabbing a career-high with 26 points (10-for-13). Smith also dished out five assists, turning the ball over just once, to help the Lancers boast 21 assists in the game.

"I thought we played a great offensive game," said Croy. "The ball was moving and guys were finishing. We have a lot of weapons. We know people will try to take certain weapons away, but guys are willing to share it. It feels good."

Taj Spencer (5-for-7) rounded out the trio of Lancers scoring in double figures, finishing the night with 18 points.

CBU opened with the first points of the game but couldn't establish a big lead until Chris Brown drove to the basket to make the score 20-10.

The Sharks cut the margin to just one point at 33-32 with just under five minutes before the break. Wheelwright wasn't about to let HPU take control, answering back with two deep three-pointers to push his team in front by seven.

Wheelwright kept his hot hand, making it 49-37 with 1:22 left in the half, but two free throws put the two teams into halftime with a 49-39 score in favor of the Lancers.

CBU picked up right where it left off, opening the second half on a 12-2 run to take a staggering 20-point cushion. Smith kick started the run by driving to the basket. Spencer fueled the run with 10-straight points.

The Sharks managed to slice the 20-point margin down into just two possessions at 70-65 with 11-and-a-half minutes to play. Once again, Smith initiated another run, driving through traffic to lay it in the hoop. Wheelwright put an exclamation point on the run with a one-handed dunk on a fast-break, giving the Lancers a 14-point upper hand.

"We've been in many battles before so we knew it was coming," said Spencer. "We just have to keep our heads and like coach says, 'stay within the eye [of the storm] and be ready for the next play.'"

HPU tried to pour on the full-court press and foul back in, but the Lancers held firm to the game, walking away victorious at 99-84.

"We've matured and come a long ways offensively," said Croy. "We have some guys that can get hot and that's a good thing, but they have to use their skills and talents with maturity. We've learned a lot this season and now it's time to put it to work."

CBU turns right around to face a familiar foe in Azusa Pacific for the semifinal match at 4:00 p.m. The Lancers and No. 11 Cougars split in the regular season, with each team winning on its home court. The winner then moves on to face the winner of Dixie State and BYU-Hawaii/Point Loma on Saturday.

"We're ready for APU," said Spencer. "We've been wanting another crack at them since we left their gym. We'll be ready."