Smith Smooths the Way

Tuesday, November 22

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

4-0

UC San Diego

5-1

UC San Diego

California Baptist

Photo by: Conner Schuh

11/22/2016 9:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — With two of the top teams in the West squaring off Tuesday night, the game was bound to have some excitement. It all came from Michael Smith as he scored a staggering 42 points to lift No. 5-ranked California Baptist University 76-63 over No. 22 UC San Diego Tuesday night.

"This win means a lot for us," said Smith. "They beat us twice last year. They're a very good basketball team, we'll probably meet them in March again, so to get this win early on and know that we can beat them is really good."

The Lancers remain undefeated at 4-0, while the Tritons drop to 5-1 with the result.

It was smooth sailing for Smith, who went 11-for-19 from the field, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc and 16-for-17 at the charity stripe. Not only was the 42 points a career high for Smith, but it was the most points scored by a Lancer since 2004 and was just four points off a single-game record.

"I honestly don't look at going off on offense," said Smith. "Last game, I didn't do a very good job leading the team or giving a good effort. I wanted to come into today and lock up UCSD's Adam Klie – who's a great basketball player – and give my honest effort, be the best competitor on the court."

Jason Todd (4-for-7) and Kalidou Diouf (4-for-5) also finished with double figures, posting 12 and 10 points, respectively. Diouf also blocked three shots on the night to keep the Tritons off the glass. Marquise Mosley dished out four assists, while Smith added three without conceding the ball.

The last time these two teams met, it came down to one shot. Unfortunately for the Lancers, it was on the wrong side of the court as they fell 71-69 in the second round of the NCAA Division II West Regional.

This time around, CBU got some separation late and didn't let go.

It was back-and-forth for the first half, before the Lancers went into halftime holding a 37-33 cushion off two Smith free throws.

UCSD came out of the break and scored four quick points to tie things up and kept it close, before taking the lead halfway through the second, 50-49.

Momentum shifted, however, as the Lancers went on an 11-2 run to take the highest lead of the night, 60-52. Smith sparked the run by driving to the basket and adding eight more points in the span. Diouf counted for the other point to get the Van Dyne crowd pumped.

"I think we focused better on our defense in the second half," said Coach Rick Croy. "They have a lot of good stuff they run and were getting us early. We stayed the course and started to get some stops. That's the key for us, we feel like we can score well, we just have to get stops."

Jordan Heading hit two free throws to put CBU up by 10 heading down the stretch, 64-54.

The Tritons tried to bring the margin back into single-digit territory and even tried to foul to get the ball back, but Smith kept knocking down his chances at the line to seal the 76-63 victory for the Lancers.

CBU gets some time to enjoy Thanksgiving before hosting the Thanksgiving Classic Friday and Saturday. The Lancers take on Simon Fraser Friday and Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday, both with 7:00 p.m. tips.

"Our guys love playing and being together," said Croy. "We're enjoying every part of the season. It's long, but at the same time, it goes by quickly and you have to soak it in."