California Baptist University
15-14,8-10WAC
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
6-23,2-16WAC
The Lancers Earn Wire-to Wire Victory over UTRGV Behind Complete Team Effort
3/2/2024 8:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball team picked up a critical wire-to-wire victory over UTRGV on Saturday Night to inch one step closer to clinching a spot in the conference tournament.
Complete Team W in the Riv tonight!! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Z2QBAvl4bq
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 3, 2024
The 88-52 victory was the team's largest of the season and the biggest margin over a DI opponent in nearly four years. CBU never trailed in the game and will set up some tournament-clinching scenarios next week after Utah Tech's home loss to ACU. After the Trailblazer loss tonight, a Lancer win over UTA or GCU or a Utah Tech loss to UTRGV over SFA next week will secure CBU's spot in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
The Lancers got off to a quick start and never looked back in the first half, rattling off seven quick points to force a Vaquero timeout three minutes into the game. UTRGV would tie the game at seven with their own 7-0 run, but the Lancers pushed the lead to double figures over the next eight minutes of play. A Vaqueros layup at 5:14 to bring the score to a six-point deficit was the closest UTRGV would get for the remainder of the game, as the Lancers would close the half on a 13-2 run to head into the locker room ahead 41-24.
CBU shot 45% in the first half while holding the Vaqueros under 40% through 20 minutes. Hunter Goodrick claimed ten rebounds in the first half, aiding the Lancers in doubling up the Vaqueros on the glass in the opening frame.
The floodgates opened in the second half for the CBU offense as a 17-point halftime lead quickly became a 25-point advantage before the first media timeout. UTRGV never got the lead below 20 in the second half beyond that point and trailed by as many as 40 points in the game. Multiple Lancers got in on the action, with 11 of the 12 dressed players registering points for CBU. Brady Cook scored his first collegiate points in the period, while Tasman Goodrick scored his first field goal since December of 2023. Tyler Isaak also converted his first triple of his career and added in a pair of rebounds.
‼️TI Triple got the crowd buzzing‼️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/eD7NF5kd57
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 3, 2024
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
CBU dominated in nearly every statistical category on the evening, including a 16-rebound advantage. The Lancers shot over 50% for the third time this season and registered a season-best 54% shooting on 31 made field goals. CBU converted double-digit three-pointers for the fifth time this season and knocked them down at a 42% clip.
The backcourt of Blondeau Tchoukuiegno and Scotty Washington was once again the driving force for CBU. The duo combined for 39 points on efficient 13-23 shooting. Washington drained six triples on nine attempts, marking the third time Washington has hit six or more from the perimeter in a single game this season. Washington also notched his fifth 20+ point effort of the season in just 28 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Tchoukuiegno dished out a season-high seven assists to go along with his 19 points.
Not many stand a chance when Blondeau has a full head of steam. 😤😤#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/0hYpHd4cas
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 3, 2024
Yvan Ouedraogo did it on both ends tonight, highlighted by his fifth double-double of the season (11 points, ten rebounds). Kendal Coleman was the fourth and final Lancers in double figures with 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Coleman, along with a myriad of other players, helped CBU attain a 17-point disparity in bench points over the Vaqueros.
NEXT: The Lancers will embark on their final conference road trip of the season for a critical matchup at UT Arlington, hoping to clinch their spot in the conference tournament.
