California Baptist University
13-8,6-4WAC
Seattle University
13-9,6-5WAC
The Lancers Stumble in Second Half in Loss to Redhawks
2/3/2024 8:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team fell to the Seattle U Redhawks in a hotly contested 61-60 ball game on Homecoming night.
The loss ends a five-game win streak for the Lancers and drops them to 6-4 in conference play and 13-8 overall. The result tightens the Western Athletic Conference standings, with CBU still narrowly holding onto third place overall. The Redhawks improve to 6-5 in WAC play, coming within a half-game of the Lancers.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The first half was highlighted by physicality and tough shot-making on both sides. The Redhawks jumped out to the early 13-7 advantage, converting five of those field goals at the rim. The Lancers were unphased by the early run for the Redhawks and quickly ran off a 15-5 run of their own to capture a 22-18 lead.
The Lancers would push their lead back to as high as eight points in the first half courtesy of a Brantly Stevenson triple, but the Redhawks and Cameron Tyson responded with six quick points. Dominique Daniels Jr. would drive to the basket with under five seconds remaining and convert a tough layup at the rim over a Redhawk defender just before the buzzer sounded to give CBU the 33-29 lead heading into halftime. The layup was two of Daniels Jr.'s 16 in the first half to lead all scorers.
CBU captured the early second-half momentum with a pair of three-point field goals made by Daniels Jr. and Stevenson and pushed their lead out to seven with under 15 minutes to go. The Redhawks pushed back with a 12-2 run to retake the lead at 45-43 to force a Lancer timeout. Out of the timeout, the Lancers mounted a 9-2 run to recapture momentum and take control of the game. The Redhawks stayed pesty and never let the Lancers blow the game open, keeping within two possessions consistently.
An offensive dry spell for the Lancers allowed the Redhawks to get within striking distance, and all of a sudden, Seattle trailed by only two points with 1:23 to play. Daniels Jr. would convert a pair of free throws to push the lead back to two possessions, but a quick basket by Tyson made it 58-56 with 50 seconds to play. The Lancers would wind the shot clock all the way down but could not convert their shot attempt, and the Redhawks would score the go-ahead points off of an and-1 opportunity to take the ball game 61-60.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
The Lancers and Redhawks had nearly identical shooting numbers, with Seattle making one more field goal than the Lancers did and had a slightly higher field goal percentage. The Redhawks claimed their victory in the second-chance category, scoring 13 points to the Lancers' four, but CBU would outrebound the Redhawks, 37-32, on the night.
Hunter Goodrick had a career night as a facilitator and a rebounder. Goodrick dished out five assists, tying his career best, and pulled in 16 rebounds, which tied a season-high. Goodrick, one of the best rebounders in the country, earned his eighth double-digit rebounding effort of the season.
Daniels Jr. led all scorers in the game with 26 points on 6-12 from the perimeter. The six triples tied a season-best for Daniels Jr., and his 26 points marked the seventh time he has eclipsed the 25-point barrier for the Lancers.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain in Riverside for a Thursday matchup against UT Arlington at 7 PM in the Fowler Events Center.
