Blazing the Trail

Saturday, December 16

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

8-2, 2-1PacWest

Dixie State

5-5, 2-1PacWest

Dixie State

California Baptist

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

12/16/2017 10:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — When it comes to Dixie State, California Baptist University knows it is in for a battle. The Trailblazers put up a fight, but the Lancers put in a strong push at the end of the game to take it 93-82.

CBU improves to 8-2 overall, 2-1 in the PacWest with the win, while Dixie State drops to 5-5 on the year and 2-1 in conference.

"We stayed with it," said Coach Rick Croy. "Every single game [we've played against Dixie State] has been like that. They've all been 40-minute games."

While Kalidou Diouf led all scorers with 21 points (6-for-9) in 26 minutes, hitting the 1,000 career point mark in the process, it was a team effort with a total of six Lancers finishing in double figures. Jason Todd followed with 15 points, while Bul Kuol chipped in 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Jordan Heading finished with 13 points – adding a career-high seven assists without a single turnover – and Cory Lange (3-for-4) and De'jon Davis (3-for-6) each chipped in 11 points.

"We kept putting the ball into Diouf and he made the right passes and guys came up with some big shots," said Croy. "We also finally got some stops when we needed them, but this is conference. In our conference, you have to be able to defend your home floor but you also have to dig out these tough ones. I'm proud of the guys and really ecstatic about the community showing up."

Off the glass, CBU out-rebounded the visitors 43-to-41, with Diouf and Davis leading the charge. Diouf was one board shy of a double-double, finishing with nine, while Davis snatched up seven missed shots.

It was back-and-forth pretty much from the get-go as neither team could grab a multi-possession lead for the first seven minutes of the game. DSU took the first one, 22-17, but Heading knocked down a three to keep things close, 22-20.

The score would stay tight for the remaining 12 minutes, with the Trailblazers going into halftime with a one-point upper hand, 37-36.

Coming out of the break, shots weren't falling for CBU as Dixie State took an eight-point lead, 46-38.

"I think our guys prepared well, we just didn't come out with the right fight," said Croy. "A lot of that is Dixie State. They take it right at you. We weren't able to slow them down early. It took a long time for us to finally put some stops together."

Still, the Lancers never felt out of it and started chipping away at the lead. Down 65-58, Diouf hit a jump shot off a Heading assist and then grabbed a defensive rebound in DSU's following possession. He was fouled on the play and hit both of his free throws to pull the Lancers within four, 65-61.

Dixie State tried to create some separation, 70-65, but CBU came barreling back in it. Heading found a wide-open Kuol in the corner for three to cut the margin to just one point, 70-69. The Trailblazers responded with their own trey, but in almost déjà vu fashion, Heading found Buol on the perimeter for another triple, 73-72.

With just under four minutes to play, it was Heading's turn to knock down a three-pointer, tying the game at 75-75 and erupting the CBU Events Center. Momentum had shifted in CBU's favor as the Lancers' big man stepped up behind the arc and drilled his own three-pointer to give his team its first lead of the second half, 78-75.

"It felt good," said Diouf of his three-pointer. "I'm not really a three-point shooter, but I saw the opportunity since they weren't closing in on me so I took it and it went in."

As the crowd got louder, the Lancers' lead got bigger. Fouls plagued Dixie State, allowing CBU the opportunity to seal the 93-82 victory with 13 of its final 18 points coming from the charity stripe.

"I love playing in front of this crowd," said Diouf. "They always support us and show us so much love. Every time we have a close game and we hit a big shot, the gym is going crazy and I love it."

The Lancers look to carry that momentum into Monday night's game at Biola, tipping off at 7:30 p.m.

"We have to put a good day of work in tomorrow to get ready for Biola," said Croy. "Our guys are on a mission. We know the work isn't done, but this was a big win tonight. We'll enjoy it tonight and tomorrow we have to get ready for Biola since they have a great program as well."