California Baptist University
Stephen F. Austin
MBB Preview: Lancers Set to Host SFA and UTRGV in Penultimate Week of WAC Play
2/27/2024 9:32:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team will begin its penultimate week of Western Athletic Conference play as they welcome Stephen F. Austin and UTRGV to Riverside.
The games against the Lumberjacks and Vaqueros kick off a critical final four game for the Lancers as the race to WAC Vegas heats up. The top eight teams earn spots in the tournament, and CBU currently sits in a three-way tie for sixth place with SFA and Abilene Christian. More importantly, Utah Tech sits one game back of the three-way tie in ninth place as the four squads try to avoid being eliminated from the tournament.
The Thursday game is arguably the most critical as the Lancers face off against a team they are currently tied with in the SFA Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks and Lancers have both faced key injuries to their roster during the season and have been on current slides. CBU and SFA have identical overall and conference records, each losing five of their last six games.
The Lancers and Lumberjcaks met earlier this season in Nacogdoches, where CBU pulled out its first-ever win over SFA behind a dominant backcourt performance from Dominique Daniels Jr. and Scotty Washington. The duo combined for 54 points, including a career-high 26 points from Washington. Washington buried seven triples in that game, tying him for the conference high for making three in a game this season.
One key battle to watch in this game will be the turnover-forcing defense of the Lumberjacks vs. CBU's top-ranked scoring defense. SFA is fourth in the nation in forcing mistakes, turning their opponents over 17 times per contest. The Lumberjacks are also a top-20 team in terms of generating steals, with nine on average. Meanwhile, the Lancers boast a strong defense of their own, with the top-ranked scoring defense in the conference. CBU holds their opponent to 66.7 points per game, which is 46th in the nation and #1 in the WAC. The Lancers have only allowed an opponent to top the 80-point mark twice and have held a team under 60 points six times this season.
Another area to watch will be at the free throw line. The Lumberjacks are a top-20 team in the country at drawing fouls and getting to the line, doing so over 23 times per game. Meanwhile, the Lancers are the best team in the conference at avoiding fouls, only being called for 15 fouls per contest.
The final game of the week will be on Saturday as the Lancers face the UTRGV Vaqueros. UTRGV is currently in last place in the conference standings, sitting at 2-14 in WAC play. CBU defeated the Vaqueros down in Edinburg in late January 63-54 and have not lost to UTRGV at home since January of 2019.
Turnovers and fouls will once again be keys in this matchup as the Vaqueros are top 10 in free throw attempts and top 30 in forced turnovers in the nation this season. UTRGV averages over 25 free throw attempts per contest, generating nearly 15 forced turnovers per game. UTRGV also boasts one of the better scorers in the conference, Elijah Elliott. The junior guard is averaging over 16 points per game, good enough for 5th best in the conference. Elliott also holds the distinction for the highest-scoring game this season in the WAC with a 40-point effort against Seattle U.
GAME INFORMATION:
Game 1
Opponent: Stephen F. Austin
Date and Time: Thursday, February 29 at 7 PM
Location: Riverside, CA- Dale E. & Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: FOX AM 1350
Tickets: Here
Game 2
Opponent: UTRGV
Date and Time: Saturday, March 2 at 5 PM
Location: Riverside, CA- Dale E. & Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: FOX AM 1350
Tickets: Here
