RIVERSIDE, Calif. – California Baptist (9-5; 1-0 WAC) opened up play in the Western Athletic Conference in a fashionable way, defeating league preseason favorite New Mexico State (11-4; 0-1 WAC) 82-76 at the CBU Events Center on Thursday night.
CBU sophomore
Milan Acquaah entered the game as the WAC's leading scorer. He did not disappoint, with a career-high 36 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line along with seven rebounds and a steal. Acquaah has scored 20 or more points in 11-of-14 games played this season.
The Lancers started the game red hot and led by as many as 17 points in the first half. CBU had a quick 7-0 start to the game, punctuated by a three-point play by junior
De'jon Davis.
California Baptist would use a 14-0 run midway through the half to take a 28-11 lead with 7:31 left on the clock. However, the Aggies responded quickly with their own 11-0 run over the next three minutes to make it 28-22 with 4:20 left in the period. NM State scored the final six points of the half, leaving the Lancers with just a three-point lead at 32-29 at halftime.
The Lancers came out slugging once again after the break. CBU went on a 10-2 run, capped by a deep Acquaah three-pointer that made it 48-35 with 15:13 left in the game.
CBU was able to maintain a double-digit lead most of the second half. CBU senior
Jordan Heading buried a three-pointer giving the Lancers a 13-point advantage with 5:32 remaining.
The defending WAC champion would not go away, though. The Aggies went on an 11-1 run to cut into the CBU lead, making it 67-64 with only 2:25 on the clock. The game would be back and forth in the closing minutes with NM State hitting tough shots, while the Lancers converted fearlessly at the free-throw line.
California Baptist entered tonight's game with a WAC-best 77.3 free throw percentage. The Lancers were able to close out the game scoring their final 14 points of the game with an unblemished 14-of-14 stroke at the charity stripe in the final 1:17 of the game, which led to the 82-76 victory. CBU finished the contest going 32-of-36 (88.9%) from the line while NM State shot 23-of-31 (74.2%).
Heading finished the game with 14 points, while sophomore
Ty Rowell added 10 points.
Terrell Brown led NM State with 22 points.
The Lancers will host WAC foe UTRGV on Saturday at 7 p.m.
