PHOENIX – After trailing by as many as 18 in the first half, California Baptist University rallied back to give itself a shot at a win with two minutes left in regulation at Grand Canyon.

The Lancers were just off in the end, though, falling to the Lopes 75-71 on Saturday afternoon. Four players scored in double figures for CBU. Britney Thomas had a team-high 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Ane Olaeta added 15 points, four assists and three steals, while Lexy Ram scored 12 and pulled down seven boards. Emma Meriggioli rounded out the group close to a double-double with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

At halftime, the Lancers found themselves down 40-25, but fought back to tie the game at 49-49 with 3:30 left in the third quarter. CBU's comeback bid was fueled by 57.1 shooting from three (6-13) and 58.8 percent from the field (18-33) in the second half.  

CBU's 24-9 run was fueled by eight points Thomas, seven from Olaeta and three-pointers from Delacy Brown (eight points) and Meriggioli. The Lancers kept things close the rest of the way, forcing ties at 60-60, 64-64 and 66-66. CBU finally took the lead, 68-66, on a layup from Thomas but GCU hit a three at the end other end to go back in front.

Ram answered right back with a triple of her own to knot the score again at 71-71 with 3:21 left in regulation. Both defenses locked in down the stretch, with the Lopes getting the final four points that came over the final three-plus minutes.

The Lancers fall to 9-10, 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference, while the Lopes improve to 5-12, 3-4. CBU returns home to host Utah Valley and Seattle U on Thursday and Saturday next week.