WBB Preview: Lancers Take on a Pair of Big West Opponents

Tuesday, November 5

Riverside, Calif.

5:00 PM

California Baptist University

Long Beach State

Tickets

WBB Preview: Lancers Take on a Pair of Big West Opponents

11/4/2019 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE – The 2019-2020 women's basketball season will tip off Tuesday evening when the Lancers host the Long Beach State 49ers in the CBU Events Center at 5:00 p.m. The game will mark the third consecutive year that the Lancers have started the season at home. The game is also the beginning of a seven game home stand for CBU to begin the 2019 schedule.

CBU returns four of their five starters from last season, including Britney Thomas who was one of two WAC players to average a double-double in 2018-2019 (15.9 ppg and 10.8 rpg). Ane Olaeta also returns for the Lancers after leading the WAC in average assists per game during conference play with 5.8. Lexy Ram, who leads the team in 3-point shooting, and Delacy Brown who averaged over 10 points a game last year round out the returning starters.

Georgia Dale is a likely candidate to fill that fifth starter role this season after showing her all-around skill last season averaging 9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 3.4 assists per game. Sophomore Caitlyn Harper earned more minutes as the season went on last year, showing consistent growth and proving to be a reliable one-two combo with starter Britney Thomas. A deep freshman class, plus the full-time addition of redshirt-freshman Sydney Palma, gives the Lancers more depth than they've seen in recent years.

GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: vs. Long Beach State University
Time: 5 p.m. (PST)
When: Nov. 5
Location: CBU Events Center
Video: WAC Digital Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

The 49ers are coming off a season that saw them go just 9-22 on the year, including a loss to CBU to open their season, 85-83. Beach made the Big West Tournament, but fell in the quarterfinals to UC Riverside.

The 49ers return their leading scorer from last season in Shanaijah Davison, who had a career high 34 points against the Lancers in their matchup last season.

Six Lancers scored in double figures in last year's version of this game, all of whom are returning to the team this season. Ane Olaeta led all CBU scorers with 16, with Georgia Dale and Delacy Brown each chipping in 14, Britney Thomas notched a double-double in the contest with 12 points and 15 boards, while Lexy Ram and Tiena Afu each scored 11 with Afu also tallying a double-double after nabbing 10 rebounds.

GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: vs. CSUN
Time: 1 p.m. (PST)
When: Nov. 9
Location: CBU Events Center
Video: WAC Digital Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

The Matadors closed out the 2018-2019 season above .500, with a 16-15 overall record and a 10-6 record in the Big West. CSUN took on UC Irvine in the first round of the Big West Tournament, but their fourth quarter rally fell just short, dropping the game to the Anteaters by a score of 59-57.

CSUN will be looking for a new source of offense this season as the two leading scorers from last season both graduated. Their combined 25.6 points per game factored to be 42% of the teams points on average.

This is the third time that CSUN and California Baptist are playing women's basketball with the Matadors leading the all-time series 2-0. CSUN defeated the Lancers 73-67 last season in Northridge.