California Baptist University
13-7,6-3WAC
Stephen F. Austin
12-8,5-4WAC
The Backcourt Duo of Washington and Daniels Jr. Lead CBU to a Comeback Win over SFA
1/27/2024 4:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES--- The California Baptist University rounded its winning streak to five games with a nail-biting 81-79 comeback win against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday afternoon.
‼️WWWWW‼️
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) January 27, 2024
Win streak moves to five as Dom and Scotty combine for 55 on the road 😱♨️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/gXWQRQxI3E
The Lancers now have sole possession of second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings and recorded their first-ever victory in program history at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. CBU is 13-7 and 6-3 in conference play, placing them a half-game ahead of Tarleton and a full game ahead of SFA.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The Lumberjacks captured momentum out of the gate, quickly building a double-digit lead halfway through the opening period. The lead would build to as many as 16 for SFA before CBU countered with a 12-0 run off of four made triples to bring the score to 31-27 in favor of SFA. The Lumberjacks and Lancers traded baskets down the half's remaining stretch and the Lancers woulf eventually trail 45-38 going into halftime.
SFA shot a blistering 70% from the field in the first half, including 80% from the arc, while CBU countered with hot-shooting of its own by connecting on 45% of their triples and 40% of their field goals. The Lancers hung in the game by forcing ten SFA first-half turnovers and turning those into 21 points.
CBU showed renewed energy and intensity to begin the second half, rattling off a 12-2 run behind hot shooting from Scotty Washington. The sophomore guard connected on his first four field goals, including 3-3 from downtown to give CBU the 50-47 lead over the Lumberjacks. The Lancers would advance their lead to as many as 11 points during the run and held a 77-67 lead with 4:10 to play.
Scotty is an absolute BUCKET right now!!
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) January 27, 2024
✅Tied Career-High with 21 PTS
✅6 Triples
✅10 More minutes to go! 😱#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/3UAKLOVigW
SFA would put the pressure back on CBU with a 10-2 run to close the deficit to 79-75 with a little over two minutes of action remaining. The teams would exchange free throw opportunities, and the Lumberjacks would close the gap to 81-79 in favor of CBU with 1:12 left in the ballgame.
The Lumberjacks would draw a foul with 36 seconds remaining but could not convert either opportunity. The Lancers ran the clock down to seven seconds before misfiring on a shot in the paint. Three timeouts would be called in the final seconds of play as both teams tried to decipher what the other would draw up. The Lumberjacks drove into the teeth of the Lancer defense, but the defense stood tall and did not allow SFA to get a shot off, securing the 81-79 victory.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
The backcourt of Dominique Daniels Jr. and Washington shined bright for the Lancers in the victory, combining for 55 points. Daniels scored 29 points on five made triples, while Washington recorded a career-high 26 points on seven made triples. Washington, who started the game in place of the injured Blondeau Tchoukuiegno, scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half alone and helped the Lancers overcome a 16-point deficit.
Right out of the Gate. 💣#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/rwFhp46kz2
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) January 27, 2024
CBU, for the second time this season, connected on 50% of their three-point attempts, converting 15 of their 30 attempts. The Lancers outscored SFA by 27 points from the perimeter. CBU would win the rebound battle for the 18th time this season, 29-27, led by four Lancers with at least six rebounds. Kendal Coleman led the effort on the glass with eight, while Washington hauled in a career-high six.
NEXT: The Lancers will return to Riverside to put their five-game winning streak on the line against Seattle U on Saturday, February 3 at 5 PM as a part of Homecoming weekend for CBU.
