By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University women's basketball improved to 6-0 last week with wins against William Jessup University and UC Santa Barbara. The Lancers will put their perfect record on the line as they travel to Malibu to take on Pepperdine on Tuesday, Dec. 15, and then host Cal Poly on Saturday, Dec. 19.
CBU will be led into this week's matchups with not one, but the two reigning Western Athletic Conference Players of the Week, as
Caitlyn Harper followed up
Britney Thomas's award with her own after averaging 21 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks against Jessup and UCSB. It is the first time in the NCAA Division I era that CBU women's basketball has won back-to-back Player of the Week honors.
While Harper and Thomas have been recognized by the conference for their outstanding play, the floor general that makes it all possible,
Ane Olaeta, is putting her full basketball prowess on display in her senior season. Olaeta is currently averaging 14.8 points, 7.83 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.
GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: @ Pepperdine
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 15
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Firestone Fieldhouse, Malibu, Calif.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
The only previous meeting between these two schools came in CBU's inaugural season in Division I when the Lancers hosted the Waves in the first round of the WNIT. California Baptist led 41-37 at the half, but Pepperdine would use a strong second half to come-back and take the game, 91-79.
The Waves will enter Tuesday's matchup with a 3-0 record, having previously claimed wins against Westmont (68-56), CSU Bakersfield (69-58), and NM State (54-46). Pepperdine is strong on the glass, out-rebounding their three opponents by an average of nine boards per game, but the Waves have also turned the ball over 17 times in all three games, a potential opening for CBU to take advantage of as the Lancers average 10.7 steals per game.
GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: vs. Cal Poly
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 19
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: CBU Events Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: WAC Digital Network
The Mustangs from Cal Poly start the week 1-1 but CBU will be their third game on the slate this week after hosting Santa Clara for a pair on Dec. 14 & 15. Cal Poly dropped its season opener on the road at then second-ranked Stanford 108-40, before defeating NM State 70-60 at home.
These two teams will be meeting for the first time on Saturday, so there is no historical matchups to reflect on. But since CBU became a Division I member during the 2018-19 season, the Lancers are 9-4 against the Big West while the Mustangs are 2-1 against WAC opponents.
