California Baptist University
16-6,6-2WAC
Seattle U
11-12,4-4WAC
Lancers Remain Perfect on the Road
2/1/2020 5:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE --- California Baptist University's men's basketball team recorded its second straight Western Athletic Conference road sweep on Saturday, as the Lancers beat the Redhawks of Seattle U, 72-65.
With the win, the Lancers tie last season's win total and are now 16-6 on the season. Last season, the Lancers set an NCAA record for the most wins by a first-year team that is an RPI counter (16).
CBU improves to 6-2 in the WAC, and the win over the Redhawks keeps the Lancers perfect on the road in the WAC. SU falls to 11-12 on the season and 4-4 in conference play. The five-game road winning streak dating back to the UC Irvine win is tied for fifth in the nation. Only Gonzaga, San Diego State, Baylor, and Stephen F. Austin have longer active streaks.
The Lancers had four players in double figures, as Milan Acquaah led both teams with a game-high 18 points. Acquaah went 6-15 from the field, dished out eight assists, and grabbed four boards in his 37 minutes of action. Bul Kuol was a specialist from deep, hitting a team-high four threes for 13 points. Zach Pirog recorded 12 points, going a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line, while Brandon Boyd was the final Lancer in double figures with 10.
De'jon Davis was a force all night for the Lancers on the boards, rebreaking his career-high with 19 rebounds – six on the offensive end. This marks the fourth straight game Davis has finished with double digits boards and the second straight game with 15 or more.
The Lancers were in the driver seat early, taking a 6-0 lead after baskets by Davis, Pirog, and Acquaah. In fact, the Lancers were in control of the lead for 37-plus minutes, which is the second straight game the Lancers have held the lead for at least 37 minutes.
CBU started to get into foul trouble in the first half, though, as the Redhawks reached the bonus at the 10:47 mark. The game slowed down after that, as the Lancers had to battle some adversity for the remainder of the half.
The Redhawks were able to cut the deficit to one, 27-26, at the 2:12 mark, but back-to-back threes by Ferron Flavors Jr. and Kuol pushed the Lancers back up to seven.
The Lancers went into the break up by three, 33-30. The Lancers were called for 12 fouls in the first half, while the Redhawks were whistled for six.
Kuol helped the Lancers achieve a double-digit lead at the 16:10 mark, 42-32, knocking down his third three of the game.
Seattle U marched back after the Kuol three, going on a 15-1 run from 14:45 to 10:04.
With newfound momentum, the Redhawks recorded their first lead at the 10:04 mark on a Mattia Campo three, 47-46.
The game was then tied three times over the next three minutes, as each side traded blows.
Kuol put the Lancers back on top at the 7:41 mark with his fourth and final three of the game.
Bul Kuol knocks down his fourth three of the game!#LanceUp⚔ | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/xZSeHlzxAm
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 1, 2020
Brandon Boyd pushed the Lancers' lead up to six with a three of his own, and the Lancers maintained that lead for the remainder of the game.
Don't let Brandon Boyd get hot!#LanceUp⚔ | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/7eh1Yo2QVE
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 1, 2020
CBU ended the game on the free-throw line, as the final 11 points came at the stripe.
The Lancers will look to keep the momentum going next week when they host CSU Bakersfield on Feb. 6 and Grand Canyon on Feb. 8 for the second leg of WAC play.
