California Baptist University
7-6,0-0WAC
Jackson State University
0-13,0-0SWAC
CBU Downs Jackson State Behind Dominance at the Free Throw Line
12/28/2024 8:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team returned to Riverside in a big way on Saturday night, defeating the Jackson State Tigers 79-73 in the Fowler Events Center.
Bringing Home the W for the Holidays!! 🎄🎁#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/UoUs2J0gKk
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 29, 2024
CBU has not been home since November 23 after playing the first six games in Riverside and came up with its fifth home victory of the season in front of a 2,000+ person crowd. The Lancers overall record moves over .500 at 7-6 with just one game remaining in non-conference play.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The visiting Tigers came out of the gates aggressive, scoring on five of their first seven possession to put CBU in an early hole at 10-2. The Lancers responded with a 9-0 run of their own to take its first lead of the ball game. The Tigers would hold onto a slim advantage for most of the first half as the two teams traded offensive scoring runs down the stretch of the period. Jackson State would jump out to a 34-27 lead with 1:22 remaining following an and-1 opportunity from Daeshun Ruffin, however the Lancers would erase that deficit heading into the locker room, scoring on all three of its final possessions to make it a 34-33 ball game.
Both teams struggled from the floor in the first half, shooting just a tick over 40% through 20 minutes of action. Turnovers were a prevalent theme in the first half and for the game, with the two teams combining for 16 of them in the first half and 40 in total for the game. Martel Williams, in his second game back from injury, was crucial for the Lancers first half offense, pouring in 12 points on 75% shooting to lead the way.
CBU made an early offensive push to begin the second half, which would prove to be the difference in the ball game as they quickly overcame their small halftime deficit and took a 47-37 lead ahead of the first media timeout. Jackson State would be playing catch-up for the rest of the half, and the Lancers would lead by as many as 16. JSU would make things interesting in the closing few minutes as they cut the lead to five with under 40 seconds remaining. CBU would salt the game away at the free throw line with Sam Silverstein and Dominique Daniels Jr. both sinking a pair to keep the Tigers comeback at bay. The Lancers would close out the game 79-73 to earn the victory in its penultimate non-conference match.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Daniels Jr. extended his 20+ point scoring streak to six games in the win, with a game-high 25 points on a career-high 15 made free throws. The 15 made free throws ties the D-I era single-game program record for the Lancers and is three off of the program record which was recorded in 1971. Daniels Jr. got significant help off the bench from Williams, who scored 21 points on six made field goals in 28 minutes off the bench. Kendal Coleman recorded his fourth double-double of the season tonight, hauling in a game-high 12 rebounds to pair with 15 points on 5-7 shooting. A.J. Braun surpassed a significant milestone in his college career, recording his 500th rebound in the win.
𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/y67zFZfHSr
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) December 29, 2024
The shooting percentages were nearly identical for both squads, but where CBU held its biggest advantages were on the glass and at the charity stripe. The Lancers outscored the Tigers by 15 at the free-throw line, knocking down 30 of their 36 opportunities. This was the sixth time the Lancers have shot over 80% from the line this season and the second time they have made at least 30 free throws after making a DI-era program record 35 against Kennesaw State in early November. On the glass, CBU held a double-digit advantage with 41 rebounds compared to JSU's 30.
NEXT: The Lancers are back in action on Monday, December 30 at 7 PM against UC Irvine as a part of The Holiday Series presented by Stater Bros. Markets.
Stater Bros. Holiday Series:
Sports fans in the Inland Empire can visit select Stater Bros. Markets locations located in Riverside, CA, to pick up special discount ticket vouchers containing a QR code to access the offer for five different Holiday Series home games. The regular price for individual tickets is $10 for each game, but with the discount voucher, tickets are only $5 each. A special package deal for admission to all five games in the series is also available for $21 for general admission seating and $36 for reserved seating.
5-GAME TICKET PACKAGES CAN BE PURCHASED HERE: www.cbulancers.com/holiday
