Lancers Close Out Season in Third-Ever GCC Tournament Semifinals Berth

Friday, April 23

Stockton, Calif.

3 PM

California Baptist University

5-11,3-4

Fresno State

11-5,6-1

California Baptist

Fresno State

Photo by: Zac Zeman zaczeman.com

Lancers Close Out Season in Third-Ever GCC Tournament Semifinals Berth

4/23/2021 4:58:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

By: Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications

STOCKTON – California Baptist University women's water polo made its third-ever appearance in the Golden Coast Conference Tournament semifinals and first since 2016 on Friday.

The Lancers kept things close early with the top-seeded and 11^th-ranked Fresno State Bulldogs. CBU's historic season eventually came to a close with an 18-10 loss to FSU at Pacific's Kjeldsen Pool. The 11-5 Bulldogs move on to face San Diego State in the GCC Championship game Saturday at noon, while the Lancers end the campaign at 5-11.

Senior Amy Branch put together a big performance in her final collegiate game, as she led CBU with seven points on two goal and five assists. It's tied for the sixth most assists in a single game in CBU history. It was also the final collegiate game played for seniors Kyra Foley, Krista Krantz, Nikkol Webber, Megan Henry and Madison East, along with Grace Ramirez.

Amy Branch extends her scoring streak to four games, as she gets CBU on the board early against Fresno State.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/jRYzqq3e2t
— California Baptist Women's Water Polo (@LancersWWP) April 23, 2021

Katie Fugit and Jamie Hutton each had a goal and assist in the game. Foley finished with six saves, while Krantz had a highlight bar-down goal.

👏👏👏

Senior Krista Krantz goes bar ⬇#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/HDD0CAID4n
— California Baptist Women's Water Polo (@LancersWWP) April 23, 2021

Nine different Lancers scored in the game, including East, Kira O'Donell, Maddie Schwegler, Kyndall Burrell and Vicky Martinez.

CBU fought to keep it a close game in the first quarter. Fresno State opened up on a 3-1 run and led 5-2 with 1:38 left in the opener. The Lancers ended the final 90 seconds on a 2-1 run, thanks to goals from O'Donell and a buzzer-beater from East that made it a 6-4 deficit going into the second quarter.

𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗭𝗭𝗘𝗥 🚨#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/0zFgsBrXJu
— California Baptist Women's Water Polo (@LancersWWP) April 23, 2021

A 6-0 Fresno State run that spanned the second quarter and into the third turned the game around and gave the Bulldogs an 13-6 lead in the third quarter.

STANDOUT SEASON
It has been a banner season for CBU. The Lancers have matched their best-ever NCAA ranking at No. 17 in the country this season and their top-four seed and finish in the GCC tied for the second-best marks in program history. CBU's third-place finish in 2016 stands as a team best since it joined the conference in 2014. The Lancers played a very challenging schedule in 2021, with nine top-14 opponents, including six top-10 road games.

Katie Fugit rises and 🔥🔥🔥#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/gw7jzawKpY
— California Baptist Women's Water Polo (@LancersWWP) April 23, 2021

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE
Fresno State has been a top-12 force in the NCAA the last two years and is looking to win its first conference title after it secured a third-place finish at the 2019 GCC Championships. The Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Natalie Benson, a former Olympian who is regarded as one of the best women's water polo players of all time.