Taran Armstrong Sets New Career High in Tight Loss to Southern Utah

Wednesday, February 1

Riverside, Calif.

7 PM

California Baptist University

13-10,5-5WAC

Southern Utah

16-7,8-2WAC

Southern Utah

California Baptist

Photo by: Elijah Hickman

Taran Armstrong Sets New Career High in Tight Loss to Southern Utah

2/1/2023 9:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ryley Collom, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications & Digital Media

RIVERSIDE--- California Baptist University welcomed Western Athletic Conference newcomer Southern Utah University to the CBU Events Center for the second matchup in program history. The team's other previous meeting was back in 1999 in Cedar City. The Thunderbirds escaped in Riverside with a 72-71 win.

The Thunderbirds were winners of five of their last six games and were tied for second in the conference standings heading into the match. The loss dropped CBU to .500 in the conference and 13-10 overall.

In the first half, as expected, the game was fast-paced and high-scoring as both teams shot high percentages from the field. The Thunderbirds came into the game as the second-highest-scoring team in the nation and shot 62% from the floor in the opening frame. The Lancers countered them by scoring 38 points on 16 made field goals.

In the second half, the game continued to seesaw as both teams made runs at each other, with the Lancers overcoming a seven-point deficit with 6:30 remaining and taking a 71-69 lead with 1:19 left. The chaotic final minute of the game went in Southern Utah's favor as they hit a crucial layup and free throw to put them over the top.

The Lancers held the Thunderbirds to 13 points under their average, and CBU's top-20 perimeter defense held Southern Utah to just five makes from beyond the arc. Taran Armstrong continued his torrid offensive output topping his career mark that he has already set twice this year with 25 points on an efficient 10-12 shooting. The sophomore also pulled in seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Riley Battin and Hunter Goodrick combined for 24 points and eight rebounds on the night.