RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The last time California Baptist University and Cal Poly Pomona faced each other, it was in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Regional last year. CBU battled out a win then and grinded out another Saturday night with a 71-66 victory over the Broncos.
 
No. 9-ranked CBU improves to 3-0 overall, while the Broncos drop to 1-2 on the young year.
 
Five Lancers scored in double figures, led by Kalidou Diouf's 17 points (6-for-7). Michael Smith and Marquise Mosley (5-for-8) each chipped in 14 points, while Jordan Heading finished with 12 points. Jason Todd rounded out the scorers in double-digits with 11 points (4-for-8).
 
Smith led CBU's rebounding effort with 10 boards to grab a double-double on the night, while Todd snagged eight and Diouf snatched seven missed shots off the glass.
 
It was back-and-forth from the beginning as the two teams exchanged points to open the game. Neither team could jump out by more than one possession until the Broncos took a five-point lead, 14-9, with 11 minutes left in the first.
 
CBU turned things around on a 7-0 run off two layups from Heading and a three-pointer from Todd, putting the Lancers in front 21-18. Diouf gave CBU its first multi-possession lead by drawing a foul as he banked his shot in off the backboard. He finished the and-one to give the Lancers a 26-22 lead.
 
The Lancers looked like they might break open the game in the final minutes of the half as Mosley pump-faked a defender and sank a jumper to put CBU in front 29-23. CPP battled back, however, to put the game within one at the break, 29-28.
 
CPP carried that momentum into the second half to open it on a 5-0 run.
 
Diouf stopped the Broncos from getting too carried away, grabbing a defensive rebound and making his way down the court for a layup. He drew a foul and rounded the play up to three, sparking an 11-0 response for the Lancers, 40-33.
 
Mosley threatened a 10-point lead with 10:27 left to play, draining a deep three-pointer off a Heading assist, 54-46. Still, CPP wouldn't roll over.
 
The Broncos cut the margin down to just one point, 59-58, with under five minutes to play. CBU kept its composure, though, and took care of business at the charity stripe to take the game 71-66.
 
CBU continues tough non-conference play on Tuesday, hosting UC San Diego at 7:00 p.m.