LAS VEGAS - California Baptist University women's basketball will play for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship for the third time in four years after defeating 5-seed UT Arlington 83-67 on Friday afternoon. The top-seeded Lancers handled the Lady Mavs for the third time this season to improve their record to 27-3 on the year, the record for single-season wins in the Division I era.
CBU had five players score double-digits against the Lady Mavs, led by Anaiyah Tu'ua, who poured in 16 points, including 4-4 from long distance, with four assists and two steals. Nhug Bosch Duran was right there with Tu'ua, scoring 15 points. Chloe Webb didn't have to shoulder the scoring load on Friday but added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes of work.
Khloe Lemon is back to midseason form, putting up 11 points on 4-8 shooting, and Kinsley Barrington rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and five boards. Nae Nae Calhoun nearly secured a double-double herself, putting in five points, nine rebounds, and a game-high eight assists.
The game opened fast as the Lady Mavs jumped to a 7-2 start, but that was immediately countered by back-to-back three-pointers from Duran and Tu'ua. The first-quarter offense was spearheaded by Tu'ua, who had 11 points in the opening ten minutes. The score was tied with a minute and a half left in the opening frame, but a converted and-one from
Emily Sewell jumpstarted an 8-2 run that led to a six-point lead for CBU at the break.
The second quarter was almost clinical by the Lancers, as their strangling defense only allowed UTA to shoot 25% from the field. That was compounded by a Lancer team that went on a 17-3 run in the middle of the quarter, building a lead of 19 at its peak. CBU would go into the locker room with a 17-point advantage.
The second half was a more balanced and measured approach from the Lancers, with no one player scoring more than seven in the final 20 minutes, but seven players still contributing to the scoreline. Despite being outscored 18-10 in the fourth, CBU still ended the game with a comfortable 16-point victory.
The Lancers now await the winner between #2 Grand Canyon and #3 Stephen F. Austin to learn who they will face for the right to represent the WAC in the NCAA Tournament. The Lopes finished the season higher in the standings and the higher tournament seed, but the Lady Jacks won both meetings between the two sides in 2023-24. Championship game time is set for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the game being aired live on ESPNU and covered on SiriusXM 380 and Online 970
