Saturday, March 20
Fort Worth, Tex.
6 PM
California Baptist University
26-0,14-0WAC
90
vs
82
San Francisco
16-11,10-7WCC
1
2
3
4
F
San Francisco
14
21
23
24
82
California Baptist
16
26
25
23
90
Women's Basketball Has a Historic Shooting Night, Defeats Dons to Earn Berth to WNIT Regional Final
3/20/2021 9:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FORT WORTH – Night two of the Women's National Invitational Tournament did not disappoint, as California Baptist University women's basketball battled a tough San Francisco team in a physical game, ultimately topping the Dons, 90-82, to advance to the WNIT Fort Worth Regional Championship game on Monday.
The win improves CBU to 26-0 this year and advanced its active win-streak to 29 in-a-row dating back to February 29, 2020. The Lancers as a team had the most efficient game ever in the WNIT, shooting 63.3 percent from the field, besting the previous best-mark of 61.8 percent set by South Carolina in 2007.
"We kept pounding it inside. We'll just take the hoops how we can get them. It was a lot different looking than it usually is," Head Coach Jarrod Olson said in his post-game interview. "We usually spend a lot of time driving and kicking, but tonight it was just a lot of throw it in there and let the big girls go to work."
The first half was dominated by impeccable post play as Britney Thomas scored 13 and Caitlyn Harper added another 12, while also being the recipients of the Dons' most aggressive defense as they both drew four fouls in the half.
Thomas kept up her scorching pace, doubling up her scoring total in the second half, while shooting a perfect 10-10 from the field. The senior forward has also been markedly improved at the free throw line, going 6-7 tonight, but 15-19 since the beginning of postseason play. Her regular season free throw percentage of 59.3 has turned into 78.9 percent the last four games, making her even more difficult to defend.
"She's been amazing. Stepping up when we needed it. She's taking her time on her moves, she's being aggressive, she's finishing with contact going to the rim," said Olson when asked about Thomas' performance. "Between her and Harper, and the way they play together at times, they just have been awesome."
Harper would finish the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Her versatility and ability to make post moves on the block then pop-out for a high percentage three-pointer had the Dons scrambling all night. Harper now has five games in a row with a pair of made three-pointers. Taylor Wu would pour in 12 points and dish out four assists as the only other Lancer to crack double-digit scoring.
The Dons would go on a 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter before Sydney Palma and the media timeout put a stop to that momentum. Both teams would struggle to score from the field down the stretch, as CBU scored its last five points at the charity stripe and USF would go cold, shooting 2-7 in the final three minutes of the game.
FAN SUPPORT
Although minimal and selective fan attendance is allowed in Fort Worth, a handful of Lancer supporters have been able to watch in person. An even greater number of Lancer fans have been able to attend student-only watch parties in the CBU Events Center on campus. It is limited to current CBU students only, 25 percent capacity, and face masks and social distancing have been strictly enforced.
"It's a pretty big deal for us. To get our first win last night, and come back tonight and get another one," Olson said. "We have some great people supporting us at home, we really appreciate that. We also have had a really good group come out and watch us here, that has been really exciting."
WHAT'S NEXT
Rice earned its spot in the finals after overcoming a late rally from Fresno State in Saturday night's contest. A big game from 6-9 senior Nancy Mulkey to the tune of 28 points, along with 20 points from Lauren Schwartz, 15 from Jasmine Smith, and 14 from Haylee Swayze was just too many offensive options for the short-handed Bulldogs to handle.
The Owls have an impressive record of 20-4 on the season, while cruising to a regular season Conference USA Championship on the back of a 12-2 league record. The Owls would finish the conference tournament as runners-up however, falling 68-65 to Middle Tennessee State which enters the Women's NCAA Tournament as a 14 seed.
Rice and CBU have no common opponents on the season, but the Owls four losses were by an average of just seven points, including a very impressive 57-53 loss to Texas A&M, which was ranked 10th in the nation at the time and now holds a second seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Owls clearly know how to regroup and make adjustments, following a loss this season, Rice won its next game by an average of 19.3 points per game.
Thomas put the team's game plan plainly after the game, "We are just ready to dominate. Just focus on that team (Rice), focus on the scout, and just play our game."
Monday's game will tip at 5 p.m. PST and can be seen via FloHoops.com with a subscription purchase or heard through the CBU Radio Network. The broadcast is on air locally in the Inland Empire on Fox Sports AM 1350, also available through the iHeartRadio app as well as at CBULancers.com/listenWNIT.
The win improves CBU to 26-0 this year and advanced its active win-streak to 29 in-a-row dating back to February 29, 2020. The Lancers as a team had the most efficient game ever in the WNIT, shooting 63.3 percent from the field, besting the previous best-mark of 61.8 percent set by South Carolina in 2007.
"We kept pounding it inside. We'll just take the hoops how we can get them. It was a lot different looking than it usually is," Head Coach Jarrod Olson said in his post-game interview. "We usually spend a lot of time driving and kicking, but tonight it was just a lot of throw it in there and let the big girls go to work."
The Lancers will have a rest and prep day on Sunday ahead of the championship game scheduled for a 5 p.m. PST tip-off. The Lancers will be taking on the Rice Owls, as they defeated Fresno State during Saturday's second-round game, 87-73. Rice is now 20-4 overall and has secured their fifth straight 20-win season, a school record.
As we said. Too strong. pic.twitter.com/nrQhbugmcz— CBU WBB 1️⃣9️⃣✖️🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥 (@CBUwbb) March 21, 2021
The first half was dominated by impeccable post play as Britney Thomas scored 13 and Caitlyn Harper added another 12, while also being the recipients of the Dons' most aggressive defense as they both drew four fouls in the half.
Thomas kept up her scorching pace, doubling up her scoring total in the second half, while shooting a perfect 10-10 from the field. The senior forward has also been markedly improved at the free throw line, going 6-7 tonight, but 15-19 since the beginning of postseason play. Her regular season free throw percentage of 59.3 has turned into 78.9 percent the last four games, making her even more difficult to defend.
📞 ring... ring... ring...
"Hi, this is Britney."#LanceUp⚔️ | #WNIT | #ncaaw pic.twitter.com/gD8qLGBC2y— CBU WBB 1️⃣9️⃣✖️🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥 (@CBUwbb) March 21, 2021
"She's been amazing. Stepping up when we needed it. She's taking her time on her moves, she's being aggressive, she's finishing with contact going to the rim," said Olson when asked about Thomas' performance. "Between her and Harper, and the way they play together at times, they just have been awesome."
"It's just a really fun team to coach. The girls love playing on this team. We're just going to try to play as many games as we can because we have just loved playing on this team for the whole season, and we just don't want it to end. - HC Jarrod Olson#LanceUP⚔️ #WNIT #ncaaw pic.twitter.com/Y3Q3jBPXYs— CBU WBB 1️⃣9️⃣✖️🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥 (@CBUwbb) March 21, 2021
Harper would finish the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Her versatility and ability to make post moves on the block then pop-out for a high percentage three-pointer had the Dons scrambling all night. Harper now has five games in a row with a pair of made three-pointers. Taylor Wu would pour in 12 points and dish out four assists as the only other Lancer to crack double-digit scoring.
The Dons would go on a 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter before Sydney Palma and the media timeout put a stop to that momentum. Both teams would struggle to score from the field down the stretch, as CBU scored its last five points at the charity stripe and USF would go cold, shooting 2-7 in the final three minutes of the game.
FAN SUPPORT
Although minimal and selective fan attendance is allowed in Fort Worth, a handful of Lancer supporters have been able to watch in person. An even greater number of Lancer fans have been able to attend student-only watch parties in the CBU Events Center on campus. It is limited to current CBU students only, 25 percent capacity, and face masks and social distancing have been strictly enforced.
"It's a pretty big deal for us. To get our first win last night, and come back tonight and get another one," Olson said. "We have some great people supporting us at home, we really appreciate that. We also have had a really good group come out and watch us here, that has been really exciting."
Huge thank you to the @calbaptist students who came out to yesterday's Events Center Watch Party! The love and support is felt all the way out here in Fort Worth!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/qRz2EpCAO6— CBU WBB 1️⃣9️⃣✖️🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥 (@CBUwbb) March 20, 2021
WHAT'S NEXT
Rice earned its spot in the finals after overcoming a late rally from Fresno State in Saturday night's contest. A big game from 6-9 senior Nancy Mulkey to the tune of 28 points, along with 20 points from Lauren Schwartz, 15 from Jasmine Smith, and 14 from Haylee Swayze was just too many offensive options for the short-handed Bulldogs to handle.
The Owls have an impressive record of 20-4 on the season, while cruising to a regular season Conference USA Championship on the back of a 12-2 league record. The Owls would finish the conference tournament as runners-up however, falling 68-65 to Middle Tennessee State which enters the Women's NCAA Tournament as a 14 seed.
Rice and CBU have no common opponents on the season, but the Owls four losses were by an average of just seven points, including a very impressive 57-53 loss to Texas A&M, which was ranked 10th in the nation at the time and now holds a second seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Owls clearly know how to regroup and make adjustments, following a loss this season, Rice won its next game by an average of 19.3 points per game.
The Owls are led by three-time Conference USA First Team selection Nancy Mulkey. The Cypress, Texas, native has seven double-doubles on the year while leading her team in points (15.7) and rebounds (8.1) per game. She was also named to the C-USA All-Defensive Team after averaging a league leading 3.32 blocks per game. She'll be matched two-fold by the Lancers' formidable one-two post punch in Thomas, All-WAC First Team and All-Defensive Team, and Harper, All-WAC Second Team, who, despite giving up a few inches to Mulkey, have proven their ability to guard bigger posts than themselves during the season.
Championship gear exclusively at https://t.co/HyyAwMOHK7!
🛍 https://t.co/jJDWDuMqJ3#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/L89Hzk7nCN— California Baptist WBB 1️⃣9️⃣✖️🔥➕✂️➕🔥🔥🔥➕✂️ (@CBUwbb) March 15, 2021
Thomas put the team's game plan plainly after the game, "We are just ready to dominate. Just focus on that team (Rice), focus on the scout, and just play our game."
Monday's game will tip at 5 p.m. PST and can be seen via FloHoops.com with a subscription purchase or heard through the CBU Radio Network. The broadcast is on air locally in the Inland Empire on Fox Sports AM 1350, also available through the iHeartRadio app as well as at CBULancers.com/listenWNIT.
What a day of #WNIT hoops! The championship matchups in each region are set for Monday! Here is a look at the updated brackets:
🏆Championship Bracket: https://t.co/7fkhexPxo3
🏀Region Brackets (PDF): https://t.co/JryF5eNye7
🗓️Schedule & Results: https://t.co/BQWYiHZKMH pic.twitter.com/vuuxVF3esW— WNIT (@WomensNIT) March 21, 2021
Team Stats
USF
CBU
FG%
.400
.633
3FG%
.342
.435
FT%
.692
.783
RB
33
35
TO
11
22
STL
11
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
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