California Baptist University
2-0,0-0WAC
Jackson State University
0-3,0-0SWAC
The Lancers Use Strong Second Half to Tame the Tigers in Front of Sellout Crowd
11/10/2023 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team made it a 2-0 start after an 80-66 victory over the Jackson State Tigers in front of a crowd of 5,096 on hand as a part of Parent and Family Weekend.
The Lancers have started 2-0 for the third time in the DI era and make it the second time they have done so at home. CBU played in front of a sellout crowd for the 13th time since calling the Fowler Events Center home, and for the tenth time, they have come away victorious.
The win over Jackson State was the third in the matchup's history, and the third time double-figures decided the game.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The Lancers and Tigers both started slow offensively, with neither gaining any momentum or rhythm early on. Both teams heated up heading into the halftime break, scoring 19 points combined over the waning few minutes. Dominique Daniels Jr. led the charge in the first half, posting 14 of his team-high 25 in the opening 20 minutes. CBU trailed at the half 39-34 while shooting just 15% from the arc.
The Lancers completely turned around their shooting in the second half, shooting a blistering 56% from the floor and 53% from the perimeter. The Lancers scored the first six points of the half to take the lead and force a Tiger timeout at 18:38. Jackson State would rally and keep the ball game tight until the 10-minute mark when CBU mounted a 16-2 run led by Blondeau Tchoukuiegno and Brantly Stevenson to capture full control of the game for the home team. CBU would lead by as many as 16 before taking home the 80-66 result over the Tigers.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
For a second-straight game, Daniels Jr. led the scoring effort with 25 on 50% shooting from the floor. Daniels followed up six made threes in his debut with five more in the game. Daniels also embraced his role as floor general tonight, leading the Lancers with five assists and only recording one turnover. Daniels Jr. is the first Lancers since 2021 to record back-to-back 20-point performances after Ty Rowell did it in February of that year.
Stevenson had similar shooting splits, scoring 16 points on 50% shooting from the floor tonight and adding six rebounds and three assists off the pine. Hunter Goodrick added his first double-double of the season with ten points and 12 rebounds in the ball game. Yvan Ouedraogo turned in a career performance offensively, with 13 points on 60% shooting. The 13 points tied Yvan's career-high in his second career game with the Lancers.
The Lancers shot 48% from the field as a unit and connected on 19 free throws. CBU has gotten to the line frequently to begin the season, with 37 made free throws in the first two games of 2023-24. The bench was a glaring positive for CBU tonight, outscoring the Tigers 25-12 in that department. Stevenson and Tchoukuiegno scored all 25 bench points for the Lancers in their combined 45 minutes of action.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain in Riverside as they play host to The Joust Tournament. CBU's first tournament matchup will be against Portland State on Friday, November 17, at 7 p.m.
