California Baptist University
Utah Tech
MBB Preview: The Lancers Open Home Conference Play with Utah Tech on Wednesday
12/4/2023 11:46:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team will open home conference play this Wednesday as they welcome in the Utah Tech Trailblazers to the Fowler Events Center.
The Lancers are off to a hot start at 6-1, tied for the second-best mark in the Western Athletic Conference and tied for the best start of the DI era. CBU opened conference play last Wednesday with a 25-point thrashing of Southern Utah in Cedar City. The victory marked the second-largest road win of the DI era and was the program's first victory over the Thunderbirds in four tries.
Utah Tech is also 1-0 in conference play heading into the matchup after defeating the Utah Valley Wolverines 65-53 at home on Saturday. The Trailblazers and the Lancers only played once last season, with the Lancers holding serve at home with a 72-58 victory in Riverside.
The two programs have a long history together, dating back to their respective times as powerhouses of the PacWest. The Lancers and Trailblazers have competed against one another a total of 21 times since 2012, with Utah Tech currently holding the series edge 12-9. CBU has won the previous two meetings by a combined 24 points and holds the series edge 3-2 since both teams joined the DI ranks.
In the recent NCAA NET Rankings, the Lancers checked in at #105, while UTU is placed at 153rd. CBU ranks third in the WAC, while Utah Tech ranks sixth in the conference.
The Lancers have gotten out to a fast start primarily due to their defense and rebounding. CBU is ranked 21st in the nation and the best in the WAC in scoring defense, allowing 62 points per game. On the glass, the Lancers haul in over 41 rebounds per contest, good enough for 25th in the nation in that department. Hunter Goodrick leads the team in rebounding at 11 per match, ranking 10th in the country. Goodrick has hauled 76 rebounds to start the campaign and posted four double-digit rebounding efforts.
The Lancers will focus their defensive attention on returners Tanner Christensen and Noa Gonsalves, who are both averaging double-figures for the Trailblazers. Gonsalves led Utah Tech in scoring in their win over UVU on Saturday with 18 points. Riley Beon, David Elliott, and Aric Demings also average double-figures for UTU, led by Elliott at 14.7 per contest.
Dominique Daniels Jr. leads the Lancers on the offensive side of the ball, scoring at 16.3 points per game. Daniels has produced three 20-point scoring outputs in 2023, including a season-high 26 points against Cal Poly to help him earn The Joust Tournament MVP. Daniels is joined by Blondeau Tchoukuiegno, Branlty Stevenson, and Yvan Ouedraogo, who all average double-figures on the season.
MATCH INFORMATION:
Opponent: Utah Tech
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 6
Location: Riverside, CA
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets Here
