California Baptist University
21-13,13-5WAC
Georgia Southern
21-9,12-6Sun Belt
Klaman Sinks Last Second Shot To Send Lancers to WBI Championship Game
3/18/2023 9:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEXINGTON – The California Baptist University women's basketball team has made it to their second tournament championship game in as many weeks after defeating Georgia Southern in dramatic fashion, 82-80 in overtime. The Lancers will face a familiar foe in tomorrow night's championship bout as CBU is set to face off against NM State for the title of 2023 WBI Champions.
The game was won with grit and experience as Brittany Klaman put the team on her shoulders in the final seconds to advance to the championship round. With just 14 seconds left, the Eagles had just tied the game with a layup, setting the stage for the Lancers to win it or go into a second overtime. With a depleted bench due in part to fouls and injuries, the Lancers' best chance to win was now and not in another five minutes.
The Lancers inbounded the ball and got it across halfcourt before head coach Jarrod Olson called his final timeout to set up the play. Dorcas Wu (13 points, 10 rebounds) inbounded the ball to Grace Schmidt (13 points, seven rebounds) and began the sequence by handing it off to Klaman. Brittany moved quickly while doing her best to ensure that this would be the final field goal attempt of the period. She promptly drove left, stopped in the middle of the key, spun inside, and rose up while fading away from the basket. The shot fell, and she let a small fist pump out before defending without fouling a desperation shot from midcourt that fell well short of the rim as the horn sounded. 𝗕𝗞❗️ 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗬❗️
Brittany Klaman hits the game-winner in overtime to send the Lancers to the WBI Championship game! CBU will take on WAC foe New Mexico State for the postseason title at 4:30 p.m. Pacific!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/gdFm2DyNoh
For the second game in a row, CBU had five players score double-digits. Klaman, Wu, and Schmidt led the Lancer scorers, with Trinity San Antonio adding a dozen points with seven boards and a pair of steals. Tiena Neale was the jolt of energy the Lancers needed off the bench in the second half, scoring a season-high 11 points.
The opening quarter was all Eagles, as Georgia State led the entire way. The Lancers cut it to one late in the frame but would take the lead early in the second quarter, thanks to a strong quarter from Tiena Neale. GSU would take a one-point into the break after draining two free throws with 18 seconds left.
CBU came out of the locker room hot, going on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. The Eagles would retake a one-point lead momentarily, but another 6-0 run after the media timeout built back their lead.
It was a back-and-forth game in the fourth quarter as CBU held a six-point lead for much of it, but the Eagles refused to go away, outscoring the Lancers 8-1 in the final minute to force overtime against the depleted CBU squad. Overtime was never more than a two-point game either way, with Klaman ultimately sealing the deal with just two seconds left.
Sunday's championship will be the rubber match between the Aggies and the Lancers, as the two teams met twice during the 2022-23 season, each winning on the other's home court. It seems fitting that a neutral site matchup should decide the final series before NM State leaves the WAC for Conference USA next season. The WBI Championship game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Pacific time and can be followed via live stats or through video stream for a one-time $10 one-day access fee through PrepSpin.com.
