California Baptist University
14-8,7-4WAC
UT Arlington
11-12,6-6WAC
The Backcourt of Tchoukuiegno and Washington Lead CBU to Critical Win over UTA
2/8/2024 11:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team grinded out a 64-63 victory over the UT Arlington Mavericks behind a combined 38 points from the backcourt duo of Blondeau Tchoukuiegno and Scotty Washington.
The win for CBU pushes them to a 7-4 record in the Western Athletic Conference and a 14-8 overall record. The victory over the Mavericks was crucial to the WAC Resume Seeding Standings as the Lancers will now, in all likelihood, leapfrog them for fifth place in the standings.
The Lancers have the third-best mark in the conference, trailing only Tarleton and Grand Canyon, and have one of the best home records in the WAC at 10-4.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The first half was slow and choppy for both teams, with the two squads combining to score 21 points through the game's first ten minutes. The Mavericks controlled the pace for the majority of the first half and held the lead for all but 30 seconds of the opening frame. However, a dunk in the waning seconds of the first half by Hunter Goodrick gave the Lancers some life and momentum heading into the break as CBU trailed 28-24.
The Lancers shot just under 30% from the floor through the first 20 minutes but were able to limit the Maverick's offense to just 13 made field goals and no makes from the perimeter. CBU also played a very clean half on the defensive end, giving the Mavericks just three free throw attempts.
After the slow and methodical pace of the first half, the Lancers came out of the halftime break with a bit of pep in their step. CBU rattled off a 13-5 run before the first media timeout to give themselves their largest lead up to that point at 37-32. Washington was a large part of this early run, connecting on back-to-back triples and playing solid defense.
The Lancers led for the next seven minutes and change until the Mavericks connected on their first triple of the game at the 9:47 mark to take the 47-44 lead. Washington would respond with a personal 7-0 run to regain the lead for CBU, starting a chain of back-and-forth runs for both teams. There were four lead changes in the final five minutes of action and two ties as the game neared its conclusion.
Goodrick and Tchokuiegno both connected on tough shots in the paint on back-to-back possessions to reclaim the lead 62-61 with 49 seconds remaining. Ouedraogo would tack on two free throws to advance the lead three points before a UTA bucket trimmed the lead back to one with 15 seconds remaining. The Lancers could not capitalize on two late trips to the free throw line, but a great defensive possession would seal the 64-63 victory for the home team.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Without the services of the WAC's leading scorer, Dominique Daniels Jr., tonight, the backcourt of Tchoukuiegno and Washington stepped up in a major way. The two guards combined for 38 points and eight rebounds and made numerous critical defensive plays. Washington's 20 points was his third game eclipsing the 20-point mark and the third time he drained four or more triples. The success of Washington has been key to the success of the Lancers, as CBU is 4-0 when Washington nets double figures.
After a slow shooting first half, CBU's offense generated 46% shooting in the second half and scored 40 points. CBU's defense was just as impressive in the second half, holding the Mavericks to only 35 points and 28% shooting from beyond the arc. The Lancer's perimeter defense was the main component of their success on that end of the floor, allowing UTA to shoot 2-12 from behind the arc. The Mavericks entered the contest as the 33rd-best team in that nation at getting up triples, shooting 26 per contest.
NEXT: The Lancers will have a quick turnaround and head to St. George, Utah, on Saturday to face the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Saturday, February 10, at 2 PM PT.
