California Baptist University
1-0,0-0WAC
San Francisco State University
0-0,0-0CCAA
Lancers Win Home Opener Behind Strong Debuts from Daniels Jr. and Riley
11/6/2023 10:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- In the home opener for the California Baptist University men's basketball team, the Lancers defeated the San Francisco State Gators 74-57 to begin their season 1-0.
The win marked the ninth home-opening victory for the Lancers since 2013 and the second time CBU has defeated the Gators to open a season after doing so in 2021. The win was also the first since the arena name was changed to the Dale E. & Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center following a generous donation by the Fowler family.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Lancers got out to a quick start in the first half, scoring a quick 14 points before the first media timeout. Dominique Daniels Jr., in his first action with the Lancers, had eight of those points on 3-3 shooting and a spectacular finish at the rim to boot. The Gators kept pace with CBU through the opening period, never letting the Lancers get the lead over seven in the opening frame.
CBU took the reins of the game in the second half and quickly extended their lead to 12 in the opening minutes of the final period. A 12-2 Lancer run kept CBU in control of the game, highlighted by a Yvan Ouedraogo slam on the fastbreak off a deflected pass by Tylen Riley. The Gators got into quick foul trouble, and the Lancers lived at the free-throw line for the majority of the second half to the tune of 17 free-throw attempts.
The Lancer lead ballooned from there to as many as 22, and the end result would be CBU outscoring the Gators 74-57.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES
In his CBU debut, Daniels Jr. netted 22 points on an efficient 6-9 from the arc. Daniels started the game a perfect 5-5 from the three-point line and only had one turnover. Daniel's backcourt mate, Riley, made his collegiate debut in the game and combined with Daniels to score 36 points on 11 made field goals. Riley also chipped in six rebounds and three steals, which led the team.
Hunter Goodrick was the team leader in rebounds with 13 to pair with his seven points and four assists. Goodrick helped the Lancers hold a sizable advantage in the rebounding department, with CBU ending the game as a +16. Yvan Ouedraogo also found himself in double-digits on the glass with ten, including four on the offensive boards. The offensive glass, in particular, was a huge factor in tonight's win as the Lancers hauled in 16 versus just two for the Gators.
Brantly Stevenson, who also debuted in the game, paced the scoring off the pine with 11. Stevenson dished out a pair of assists and collected three rebounds, giving CBU a boost in his 23 minutes of action.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain in Riverside to take on Jackson State on Friday, November 10, at 7 p.m. in the Fowler Events Center.
