California Baptist University
5-4,0-0WAC
University of Central Florida
6-2,0-0Big 12
Turnovers Spoil Season-High 33 Points from Daniels Jr. at UCF
12/1/2024 3:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ORLANDO, FL--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team could not come up with the victory in its first true road game of the season, falling to the University of Central Florida 74-59 on Sunday afternoon.
The Lancers, who have been a top 5 team in the nation at taking care of the basketball, were done in by giveaways in the loss with a season-high 19 against the BIG 12 squad. The Lancers fell to 5-4 in the early going of non-conference play, while the UCF Knights improved to 6-2 and 6-0 in the confines of Financial Arena.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The Lancers and Knights both got off to a slow offensive start out of the gates, combining for just six points through the first media timeout. An offensive outpouring from Dominique Daniels Jr. got CBU's offense going, with the star guard scoring 14 of the team's first 20 points. CBU built a 20-13 lead with 6:54 remaining before the home team rallied back behind a 12-2 run to regain the lead. The Knights would take a 32- 29 lead heading into the break, closing the half on a 19-9 run. Daniels Jr. scored 20 of CBU's 29 points on eight made field goals and a pair of triples.
The Knights came out of the break with offensive rhythm, putting up 19 quick points to force a Rick Croy timeout and give UCF a ton of momentum. CBU would never catch up to the Knights following the early second-half outburst, as UCF would remain unbeaten at home with the 74-59 victory.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Daniels Jr. was the offensive story for the Lancers, continuing his strong senior season for CBU with a season-high 33 points on 11 made field goals. Daniels Jr. accounted for nearly 70% of CBU's total offensive output as he also dished out three assists that led to seven points. Kendal Coleman was strong on the glass, hauling in 13 rebounds to give CBU the 37-31 edge on the glass despite the loss.
NEXT: The Lancers will have some time off before heading to San Diego to take on the Aztecs on Wednesday, December 11.
