California Baptist University
5-4,0-0WAC
UC Irvine
5-5,0-0Big West
Lancers Win Big In Irvine
12/7/2019 10:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
IRVINE --- A 26 point performance by Milan Acquaah boosted California Baptist University over UC Irvine on Saturday night, as the Lancers didn't relinquish the lead the entire second half.
The 68-60 win by the Lancers snapped UC Irvine's eight-game home winning streak. The Anteaters are coming off their best season in program history after recording a school-record 31 wins in 2018-19. UCI won the Big West Tournament last season and beat Kansas State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to Oregon in the second round, 73-54.
As for this season, the Anteaters were picked to finish first in the Big West Preseason Poll. UCI returned four of its five starters and nine letter winners from last year's championship team, including seniors: Evan Leonard, Eyassu Worku, Tommy Rutherford, and John Edgar Jr.
For the second straight game, the Lancers dominated the boards from start to finish, outrebounding the Anteaters, 43-35. UCI came into tonight's contest with the third-best rebounding margin in the nation (+12.8) and the sixth-best ranking in total rebounds (375).
Acquaah was the sparkplug the Lancers needed all night, finishing with a team-best 26 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists. His 19 points in the first half marked a season-best by the junior point guard. Glenn Morison recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Morison's 12 points tied his career-high, which he set against Bethesda on Feb. 12, 2019. Ferron Flavors Jr. added 12 points and five rebounds, while Brandon Boyd was the final Lancer in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Lancers improve to 5-4 on the season and 2-0 against Big West opponents.
CBU held the Anteaters to a season-low 35.4 percent (23-65) from the field and 13.6 percent from beyond the arc (3-22). The rebounding advantage by the Lancers marked the first time the Anteaters were outrebounded on the season.
The Lancers played from behind most of the first half, as the Anteaters enjoyed a seven-point lead, 10-3, after the first five minutes. Acquaah helped CBU jumpstart a 6-0 run that brought the Lancers within three at the 10:21 mark.
Lancers on a 6-0 run after this basket by Acquaah! He's up to six so far. #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/UuIQlE8RrJ
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 8, 2019
Four minutes later, it was Acquaah again, this time with a fadeaway jumper to record the first tie of the game at 21-21.
TIE BALL GAME!#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/X1l2D1C8yT
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 8, 2019
Acquaah came down on the next possession and hit a step-back three to give the Lancers the lead for good. After taking the lead at the 5:29 mark, the Lancers ended the first half on an 18-8 run to go into the break up six, 39-33.
That's how you end a half!
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 8, 2019
Acquaah finishes with a season-best 19 points at the break!#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/MJCOlwquzT
The Lancers extended their lead in the second half, knocking down big shot after big shot. CBU's largest lead came at the 8:58 mark, 57-45, after Flavors went 2-2 from the free-throw line.
The Anteaters closed the gap to three with less than five minutes left, but back-to-back jumpers by Acquaah and a pair of free throws from Morison gave the Lancers a comfortable margin. The Lancers never gave up their lead in the entire second half and held the lead for 27:04 minutes.
Acquaah is on 🔥🔥🔥#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/QgLsrmirhG
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 8, 2019
CBU will finish the year at home, as the Lancers close out the month of December with four straight home games. The Lancers will welcome Bethune-Cookman to the CBU Events Center on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.
