CBU Stumbles in Huntsville; Taran Armstrong Reaches Another Milestone

Thursday, February 23

Huntsville, Texas

4:30 PM

California Baptist University

15-13,6-8WAC

Sam Houston

21-6,11-4WAC

California Baptist

Sam Houston

CBU Stumbles in Huntsville; Taran Armstrong Reaches Another Milestone

2/23/2023 6:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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

HUNTSVILLE--- California Baptist University started its penultimate road trip with a visit to face Sam Houston State for their first-ever meeting in Huntsville. The Bearcats (21-6, 11-4 WAC) held serve at home with a 56-45 victory over the Lancers (15-13, 7-8 WAC).

Both teams entered the ball game on a three-game winning streak, with the Bearcats currently placed second in both the standings and WAC resume seeding.

The first half was a defensive battle, with both teams holding each other to under 35% shooting from the field. The Bearcats closed the half on a 17-3 run to give themselves a seven-point advantage at the break. The Lancers were able to connect on four more triples than the Bearcats, but foul trouble caused them to surrender ten free throws and lose two starters for a good portion of the first half in Hunter Goodrick and Reed Nottage.

Third triple of the ball game for CBU as we hold the early road lead in Huntsville. 3⃣👀#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/jmSwjB5nyG
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 24, 2023

The free throw disparity continued in the second half, with the Bearcats ultimately outscoring CBU by 15 points from the charity stripe. Sam Houston found a slightly more offensive rhythm than the Lancers and held their lead to the finish. The Lancers took home a slight edge in that department with an 18-15 advantage in a battle of two of the best benches in college basketball.

CBU's 40th-ranked perimeter defense held the third-best three-point shooting team in the nation to 21 % on three makes. Tre Armstrong led the team with ten points on three made triples. Taran Armstrong dished out five assists and reached the 300-assist milestone, making him the sixth-fastest active player to reach the mark in division 1.

With that assist to Tre, Taran Armstrong becomes the sixth fastest active player to reach 300 career assists.

OUR PG 💥👏🔥#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lmszE8TxyH
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 24, 2023

Next, CBU will play on national television against Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, which will air on ESPNU with tip-off set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 26th.