One Win Away

Thursday, February 25

Belmont, Calif.

5:00 pm

California Baptist University

26-1/18-1

Notre Dame de Namur

3-24/2-17

California Baptist

Notre Dame de Namur

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

2/25/2016 6:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

BELMONT, Calif. — With a PacWest championship on the line, No. 4 California Baptist University knew its final two games before postseason were both must-wins. The Lancers got the first one done, beating Notre Dame de Namur 82-50 Thursday night to sit just one victory away from a conference title and tying the program's longest-win streak.

CBU improves to 26-1 overall, 18-1 in the PacWest, and extends its unbeaten streak to 19-consecutive games. The program's longest winning streak of 20 games was set back in the 1987-88 season. NDNU drops to 3-24 on the year, 2-17 in conference, with the loss.

Courtney Nelson led all scorers with 20 points, with two other Lancers finishing the night in double figures. Cassidy Mihalko chipped in 14 points and Kamille Diaz added another 12 points (4-for-8).

Despite not shooting their best, the Lancers passed the ball around well, only turning it over nine times, while three players dished out three or more assists. Erin Asher finished with five assists, followed by Mihalko with four and Nelson with three.

CBU opened on an 11-0 run before NDNU could make a basket. Mihalko jump started the run by completing an old-fashioned three-point play and capped the run with the modern three-pointer, draining her shot from beyond the arc.

The Argonauts cut into the scoring spree with two free throws, but Diaz hit a three-pointer before NDNU could grab its first points from the field. It didn't happen until six minutes into the first quarter, giving CBU a staggering 28-5 edge after the period ended.

It seemed like the Lancers were unstoppable as Asher and Emma Meriggioli each sank a shot from the perimeter to put their team up by almost 30 points, 34-7, to start the second quarter.

NDNU put together a little run, 8-2, to try to chip away at the margin, but Nelson stopped the spurt by putting in an offensive rebound, taking away the Argonauts' momentum.

Nelson put CBU over the 30-point margin mark three minutes before halftime, sinking a three at the top of the arc. Mihalko then found her fellow junior wide open to put the Lancers in front 46-15.

CBU kept pushing in the final minutes of the half and walked into the locker room with a 50-20 upper hand.

Meriggioli got the second half going by banking in a shot off the back board to keep the Argonauts from dropping the margin down into 20-point range once again.

While NDNU managed to cut the Lancers' upper hand under 30 points, it didn't last long. In the final two minutes of the third quarter, CBU went on a 5-0 spurt to hold a 66-32 cushion with just 10 minutes to play. Diaz knocked down a three and Mihalko hit two free throws in the run.

The Lancers continued the scoring spree into the fourth quarter as Nelson scored the first points of the frame. About a minute later, Nelson gave CBU double the Argonauts' points, putting her team up 72-36.

Diaz threatened a 40-point edge for the Lancers by knocking down a triple from the corner, but CBU couldn't quite seem to put itself over the edge and closed out the 82-50 win.

The Lancers have one last game before postseason and can secure their second PacWest title with a victory. Holy Names is the only thing standing in CBU's way, with the two teams squaring off on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.