RIVERSIDE, Calif. — No. 4-ranked California Baptist University came out Tuesday evening looking to ring in the new year with a bang. The Lancers did just that, defeating Hawaii-Hilo 96-53 to start 2016 on a high note.
 
The Lancers — who finished the game with a 54 shooting percentage — improve to 11-1 overall and 3-1 in the PacWest. The Vulcans drop to 1-7 on the year, 1-2 in conference.

Two Lancers posted double-doubles with Emily Schmidt finishing the night with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Megan Frerer also grabbed a double-double, scoring 11 points and snagging 10 boards.
 
The two teams exchanged buckets to open the first quarter, with tied scores at 2-2, 5-5 and 10-10, before CBU went on its first significant run of the night. Diaz hit three-straight three-pointers, including a high-arching shot from the corner, to keep the Lancers in front 19-10.
 
Diaz kept the run going as she dished out an assist to fellow junior and 1,000 point club member Mihalko, who hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the Lancers a 22-10 cushion after the first quarter. 
 
UHH tried to keep the Lancers under control, but the home team continued to put the pressure on and put up a 20-point lead halfway through the second quarter. Frerer posted up under the basket and laid in a put-back, drawing a foul in the process. She may have missed the and-one opportunity, but grabbed another rebound to put up two more points.
 
Asher sank back-to-back shots from the perimeter to keep the run going, putting CBU in front 42-19 with three minutes remaining in the half. Kristine Sellona made a free throw and Schmidt banked in a shot off the glass. Diaz put the Lancers on the cusp of a 30-point lead by dropping a triple from the left side before Schmidt put CBU over the edge with two free throws.
 
The scoring spree wasn't over yet, as Diaz sank a deep three to put CBU up 53-19 at halftime. At the break, the Lancers were shooting a staggering 73.3-percent from three-point range and 56.3-percent from the floor.
 
UHH needed to cut down the Lancers' looks, especially from the perimeter, but couldn't seem to do that. CBU opened the second half with back-to-back baskets, including another three from Diaz and a put-back from Frerer, continuing on its 26-0 run.

"We really worked hard defensively in the first half, and that is what really got us going on the offensive end," said Olson.
 
After six minutes and 45 seconds of not scoring, the Vulcans finally ended the drought, but still had a big hole to climb out of, down 61-24.
 
CBU wasn't about to let that happen, continuing to deny the visitors good looks on offense while taking advantage of opportunities on offense. Asher gave her team a commanding 41-point lead, 73-32, banking in a jump shot off the backboard.
 
With 10 minutes left to play and a 75-37 margin in hand, UHH turned up the gas, trying to slice CBU's upper hand.  
 
Despite the Vulcans cutting the cushion back down into 30-point range, CBU held firm and built back its 40-point upper hand off a three-pointer from Sellona, 94-53. The Lancers closed out the remaining minutes to take the contest 96-53.
 
CBU continues on a six-game home stand — which started in 2015 against Point Loma — and turns right around to host Chaminade on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. The Lancers' game against Fresno Pacific on Saturday, also with a 5:00 p.m. tipoff time, will be featured on ESPN3.