CBU Closes Out 2016 In Style

Thursday, December 29

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 pm

California Baptist University

11-1

102

Life Pacific

5-6

Life Pacific

California Baptist

102

Photo by: Brittany Sepeda

CBU Closes Out 2016 In Style

12/29/2016 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In the final game of the 2016 portion of the season, No. 8-ranked California Baptist University closed out the year on a high note with a 102-71 win over Life Pacific.

The Lancers improve to 11-1 overall, while the game doesn't count against the 10^th-ranked NCCAA Warriors to keep their record at 5-6.

Michael Smith led four Lancers in double-digit scoring with 25 points (11-for-23), while also dishing out a game-high six assists – just one shy of his career best. Jordan Heading followed with 18 points (4-for-8), while Marquise Mosley finished with a career-high 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a 4-of-5 performance from beyond the arc. Jason Todd rounded out the quartet with 13 points and was just two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight boards.

Mason Stuteville also had a career night, scoring nine points and grabbing seven boards to help CBU out-rebound the Warriors 41-to-26.

After a slow start, the Lancers climbed back into the game and took over the lead halfway through the first. Mosley and Bul Kuol each knocked down two free throws to put CBU within one and Todd put the Lancers in front, 21-20, by posting up under the basket.

The Warriors cut the run, but CBU quickly found its rhythm and put together an 11-0 run to take a 32-23 lead. Three-straight triples from Jordan Heading, Mosley and Todd got the onslaught going and Mason Stuteville capped the spurt by banking in a shot from Todd.

CBU kept its foot on the pedal and extended its lead to almost 20 points with three minutes left before halftime. Todd stole the ball away and found Smith on the fast-break outlet past for an easy layup, putting the Lancers up 47-30.

Coming out of the break with a 49-36 upper hand, the Lancers opened the second half with four-consecutive points from Diouf and Smith.

Life Pacific wasn't ready to roll over and cut the margin down to single digits, 54-45, but Heading rattled in a three-pointer from the corner to extend the lead back up to double-digit territory.

At the charity stripe, Heading finished two chances to push CBU's cushion over 20 points, 68-47, with just about 11 and a half minutes left on the clock.

Life Pacific just couldn't contain the Lancers as the home team threatened a 30-point advantage before heading down the stretch. Mosley pushed CBU over the threshold with a deep three-pointer, 98-67, just before the two-minute mark.

The Lancers closed out the final minutes strong to take the game 102-71.

CBU returns to PacWest action after the New Year, heading to Hawai'i for two games in Honolulu. The Lancers have a tough test right away in 2017, taking on undefeated and No. 22-ranked Hawai'i Pacific on Jan. 3. CBU faces Chaminade two days later to conclude the Hawaiian trip.