Good as Gold

Monday, February 15

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

20-6, 11-5PWC

Concordia (Calif.)

22-4, 15-3PWC

Concordia (CA)

California Baptist

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

2/15/2016 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — With the last meeting coming down to just one point, California Baptist University knew it'd be in for a battle Monday night. The Lancers didn't let it come down to one point this time, beating Concordia University of Irvine 81-70 in an electric Van Dyne Gym.

The win puts the Lancers at 20-6 overall, 11-5 in the PacWest, and snaps the Eagles' 11-game winning streak. It also marks Coach Rick Croy and his staff's 200th win overall, with 70 of those coming at CBU. CUI drops to 22-4 on the year, 15-3 in conference.

Michael Smith led all scorers with 30 points (10-for-15). Fellow 1,000-career point member Gelaun Wheelwright followed with 16 points (5-for-11), while Kalidou Diouf (5-for-8) and Jordan Giusti (2-for-3) each chipped in 12 points. Giusti dished out six assists in his final home game as a Lancer and grabbed two steals.

The Lancers crushed it on the glass, out-rebounding CUI 42-to-23. Smith grabbed a game-high 12 boards to finish the night with a double-double. Diouf was just one rebound shy of also grabbing a double-double, posting nine on the night. Trevone Williams chipped in seven rebounds of his own.

CUI scored the first points of the night and not long after jumped out to a 12-8 lead. CBU had a dramatic response, however, exploding off on an 18-0 run to take a commanding 26-12 lead.

Wheelwright finished two shots at the line to start the run and Diouf tied things up at 12-12 by posting up under the basket. The Lancer defense kept the Eagles from getting too many looks offensively as CBU made its shots count on the other end of the court.

Back-to-back two-point buckets, including a tough shot off an angle, from Wheelwright gave CBU a 12-point lead before Giusti capped the run by driving through traffic to the basket, 26-12.

CBU kept the Eagles back as it closed out the rest of the half strong to hold a 38-22 edge at halftime.

The Lancers weren't comfortable with the 16-point lead and for good reason. CUI chipped away at the upper hand, slicing it all the way down to five, 53-48, with just under 10 minutes to play.

Determined to not let this one slip away, Smith hit two free throws to give CBU some distance. Less than a minute later, the junior guard scored a fast-break layup after Giusti stole the ball away from CUI, putting his team in front 60-59.

The Eagles continued to put up a fight for the Lancers, but CBU kept its composure and held a 69-53 edge heading down the stretch. Wheelwright hit a deep three to give his team the upper hand, draining the shot off a Giusti assist.

Intensity rose as time continued to wind off the clock as neither team was willing to give up on the fight.

Smith drew a foul as he found a lane to drive to the basket and banked it in off the glass. He completed the old-fashioned three-point play to keep CBU in front 74-57.

CUI responded with a basket, but the Lancers were unfazed as Diouf grabbed a strong rebound and drew a foul. He finished his free throw to keep CBU in front by double-digits, 75-59.

With a minute and a half remaining, CUI turned on the high press, but CBU held off the Eagles. Giusti extinguished any hope of the Eagles coming back late as he jumped on a CUI turnover to put CBU in possession and secure the 81-70 victory.

The Lancers close out the remaining regular season on the road, first heading south to Point Loma on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. tip off. CBU concludes the regular season in the Bay Area, Feb. 23-27.