Thursday, March 10
Las Vegas, Nev.
2:30 PM
California Baptist University
vs
#6 Sam Houston
Photo by: Zac Zeman zaczeman.com
WBB PREVIEW: Lancers Prepare to Defend WAC Tournament Title
3/9/2022 9:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RIVERSIDE - California Baptist University women's basketball is set to defend its 2021 WAC Tournament Championship as it enters this year's contest as the third overall seed. The Lancers went 22-7 in the regular season and 13-5 in conference, but it's a new season in Las Vegas.
Despite not being the top-seed heading into the marathon, CBU boasts too many high-level qualities not to be considered a top contender for the crown. The Lancers' roster includes the top guard and forward, statistically, in the conference in Ane Olaeta and Caitlyn Harper. The returning experience from last year's title run also must factor in as 99 percent of the minutes played in last season's win returns to Orleans Arena to run it back.
Harper was recently named the 2020 WAC Player of the Year after finishing the season as the conference scoring champion, averaging an even 18 points per game. Harper is also the reigning WAC Tournament MVP after she dominated the field last season, averaging 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the tournament.
Joining Harper on the quest to repeat is last year's WAC Player of the Year and this season's Defensive Player of the Year, Ane Olaeta. The graduate guard finished the regular season averaging 2.6 steals per game while also being tied for the second most assists in the NCAA (210) and the second highest assist-per-game average at 7.3. Olaeta already owns an impressive number of CBU and WAC single season and career records, but envisions leading CBU to back-to-back tournament titles, a feat that was last accomplished by NM State when they three-peated from 2015-2017.
As the three-seed, the Lancers have the advantage of a double-bye before having to face either seventh-seeded Lamar or sixth-seeded Sam Houston. Should they best their first round opponent, a third game against Grand Canyon awaits them on Friday afternoon. The Lopes swept the regular season series this year, but with four conference losses on the season, there exists plenty of information for Head Coach Jarrod Olson and his staff to use to hand GCU a loss in the tournament.
Regular season champion Stephen F. Austin is the No. 1 seed in this year's tournament. The Ladyjacks defeated the Lancers in their only meeting this year in Nacogdoches, however, SFA dropped their final game of the regular season to UTRGV, 76-74, providing the rest of the conference with valuable information on how to top the champs.
Catch all of the tournament action on ESPN+ and follow along for updates and information on the WAC Basketball Tournament homepage.
Despite not being the top-seed heading into the marathon, CBU boasts too many high-level qualities not to be considered a top contender for the crown. The Lancers' roster includes the top guard and forward, statistically, in the conference in Ane Olaeta and Caitlyn Harper. The returning experience from last year's title run also must factor in as 99 percent of the minutes played in last season's win returns to Orleans Arena to run it back.
Harper was recently named the 2020 WAC Player of the Year after finishing the season as the conference scoring champion, averaging an even 18 points per game. Harper is also the reigning WAC Tournament MVP after she dominated the field last season, averaging 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the tournament.
👑⚔️
Her game spoke volumes on the court, and the conference coaches were listening. Caitlyn Harper is the 2021-22 @WACsports Player of the Year‼️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/8C7xGa8srM— California Baptist Women's Basketball (@CBUwbb) March 7, 2022
Joining Harper on the quest to repeat is last year's WAC Player of the Year and this season's Defensive Player of the Year, Ane Olaeta. The graduate guard finished the regular season averaging 2.6 steals per game while also being tied for the second most assists in the NCAA (210) and the second highest assist-per-game average at 7.3. Olaeta already owns an impressive number of CBU and WAC single season and career records, but envisions leading CBU to back-to-back tournament titles, a feat that was last accomplished by NM State when they three-peated from 2015-2017.
⚔️⭐️
She has truly mastered the game, from offensive wizardry to defensive dominance. Ane Olaeta is the @WACsports Defensive Player of the Year‼️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/a66tQvzL5t— California Baptist Women's Basketball (@CBUwbb) March 7, 2022
As the three-seed, the Lancers have the advantage of a double-bye before having to face either seventh-seeded Lamar or sixth-seeded Sam Houston. Should they best their first round opponent, a third game against Grand Canyon awaits them on Friday afternoon. The Lopes swept the regular season series this year, but with four conference losses on the season, there exists plenty of information for Head Coach Jarrod Olson and his staff to use to hand GCU a loss in the tournament.
Regular season champion Stephen F. Austin is the No. 1 seed in this year's tournament. The Ladyjacks defeated the Lancers in their only meeting this year in Nacogdoches, however, SFA dropped their final game of the regular season to UTRGV, 76-74, providing the rest of the conference with valuable information on how to top the champs.
Catch all of the tournament action on ESPN+ and follow along for updates and information on the WAC Basketball Tournament homepage.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
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