Lancers Close Non-Conference Play With An Overtime Victory Against Cal Poly

Tuesday, December 21

San Luis Obispo, CA

1 PM

California Baptist University

9-2,0-0WAC

Cal Poly

1-8,0-0Big West

OT 1

California Baptist

Cal Poly

Lancers Close Non-Conference Play With An Overtime Victory Against Cal Poly

12/21/2021 4:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Britney Thomas was the difference in the non-conference finale for California Baptist University women's basketball, leading the Lancers past the Mustangs of Cal Poly 66-64 in overtime. The result brings the CBU record to 9-2 at the end of non-conference play, while also pushing the team to an impressive 27-3 during the 2021 calendar year.

Thomas set season-highs in points (29), field goals (13) and minutes played (23) while also matching her season-best in rebounds (13). The Mustangs had no answer for Thomas when she made her way to the block, going on solo runs of 6-0 in the first quarter and 10-0 in the third.

Strong defense becomes easy offense! Dorcas Wu's third block of the game begins a sequence for a streaking Britney Thomas who is on a solo 6-0 run!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/fsvKNcQ7Qb
— California Baptist Women's Basketball (@CBUwbb) December 21, 2021

Caitlyn Harper was the only other Lancer in double-figure scoring, collecting nine of her 16 points in a crucial second-quarter effort. Ane Olaeta had a relatively quiet game by her own standards, but still played a significant role, grabbing six rebounds, two of the offensive type, and dishing out six assists. Four of her six points came in overtime, including the game-clinching free throws with 1.1 seconds left.

A game that featured 11 lead changes and 15 ties came down to runs in regulation and a thrilling overtime period. The third quarter saw both teams go on significant runs, with Cal Poly catching fire first with a 10-0 to build an 11-point lead, before Thomas and Sydney Palma came together for a 13-0 run to give the Lancers their first lead of the second half.

The Lancers are on a 13-0 run and retake the lead! Sydney Palma drains the biggest shot she's hit so far this season with two defenders in her face!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/QEygJKtbgp
— California Baptist Women's Basketball (@CBUwbb) December 21, 2021

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with the teams basically going shot-for-shot until Cal Poly sank two free throws with four seconds remaining to tie the game and send it into overtime.

The Mustangs would open the extra period with a 6-2 run, but Olaeta would score the final four points, two on a running floater in the paint and the final two free throws to seal it. Cal Poly would inbound the ball with one second left but could not come up with a clean possession or shot to challenge the final score.

🗣️𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦🗣️ Dorcas Wu gets the steal with under five seconds left in the game and Ane Olaeta drains two free throw to grab a two point lead with one second left!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/k1ayxO5Qs4
— California Baptist Women's Basketball (@CBUwbb) December 21, 2021

The Lancers claim the best record (9-3) and winning percentage (.818) in the Western Athletic Conference ahead of Christmas break for the second season in a row. They also boast a pair of top-five scorers in the conference, with Harper on top of that list with 18.5 points per game and Olaeta third with 16.0.

Thomas has worked her way back to familiar territory, leading the league in field goal percentage at 60.9 and Georgia Dale is third among all WAC rebounders, grabbing 8.3 misses per game.
Olaeta still tops the NCAA in assists per game, but holds that title by a hair as her 7.91 average just barely leads Notre Dame freshman Olivia Miles, who is assisting at a 7.75 clip.

UP NEXT

The Lancers switch their focus to Western Athletic Conference play as the league schedule will being on the road at Seattle U on Jan. 2. Game time is set for 1 p.m.