California Baptist University
21-8,10-4WAC
Seattle U
14-15,7-7WAC
Lancers Win OT Thriller on Homecoming & Senior Night
2/29/2020 11:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE --- With less than five seconds left in overtime, Milan Acquaah hit the game-winner to send the 5,050-plus Lancer fans into an uproar on Saturday night, as California Baptist University beat Seattle U, 88-87.
It all came down to the final possession after Seattle U's Terrell Brown put the Redhawks ahead with :22 seconds left in overtime. Brown rose and made the nice pullup jump shot to give the Redhawks an 87-86 advantage over the Lancers.
The energy was electric. The packed house remained on its feet after the game was sent to overtime, and the fans watched as Acquaah dribbled out the game clock to under 10 seconds.
Acquaah received a screen from De'jon Davis at the top of the key and made his move down the left side with his defender on his hip. He stopped and stepped back, creating separation from his defender to take the final shot with less than three seconds in the game. The CBU Events Center was sent into a frenzy after Acquaah made the game-winner and secured the Lancers' 21st win of the season.
MILAN ACQUAAH CALLED GAME!#LanceUp⚔ | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/lqdzecej6W
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 1, 2020
The Lancers are now 21-8 on the year and 10-4 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Lancers are two games ahead of third-place UT Rio Grande Valley. Seattle U falls to 14-15 on the season and 7-7 in the WAC. The Lancers complete their first series sweep over the Redhawks after the two teams split last season. CBU is now one of 41 teams in NCAA Division I men's basketball to reach 21 wins at this point in the season.
Tonight was special," said head coach Rick Croy. "Both teams were playing at a high level. We knew Seattle would come in here and play an A-game. We pulled together when things got tough, and there were a lot of those moments tonight. We just kept fighting. Really proud of our team and grateful for this senior class. They have so much love for CBU and for each other. We are grateful for the support. I can not imagine a better college basketball game in the country than what took place tonight in the CBU Events Center. With homecoming, all of the alumni, everyone that's poured into CBU, we all did it together tonight. We don't win this game unless this place is sold out. We needed everyone pulling together, and our fans were amazing."
CBU will take its three-game winning streak on the road next week, as the Lancers face NM State on Mar. 5 and UTRGV on Mar. 7.
Seattle U was in the driver seat with less than three minutes left in the second half after Riley Grigsby gave the Redhawks a six-point lead on a layup, 71-65.
The Lancers started to cut into the deficit, but it was Brown who gave the Redhawks a two-point lead with 18 seconds left in regulation on a driving layup.
Acquaah found Davis on the right side, and the senior forward made his way into the paint, where he was fouled with six seconds on the clock.
Davis came up big for the Lancers, knocking down both free throws to send the game into overtime.
HIS NAME IS DE'JON DAVIS!!!!
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 1, 2020
We are headed to OT! #LanceUp⚔ | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/r0PMXEZNHk
Acquaah was the only Lancer to score from the field in OT, going 4-4 with one three to score nine of the Lancers' 11 points. Brandon Boyd contributed the other two points, making a pair at the line.
The Lancers put together one of their best shooting nights from beyond the arc, going 10-19 (52.6) from the 3-point line, while the Redhawks went 6-29 (20.7).
Both teams were efficient from the charity stripe, as the Lancers went 20-24, and the Redhawks went 15-17.
Davis was spectacular for the Lancers all night. Not only did the senior make the two free throws to send the game to OT, but he scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Acquaah finished with 27 points, Boyd added 12, and Ferron Flavors Jr. was the final Lancer in double figures with 11.
Before the game, the Lancers honored Micah Robinson, Omar Lo, Boyd, Zach Pirog, and Davis for senior night.
