RIVERSIDE - There was much to celebrate Thursday night in the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center. The California Baptist women's basketball team honored three incredible senior student-athletes before tipoff, the Lancers secured a perfect 15-0 home record for the 2023-24 season with a 91-75 win over UT Arlington, and with that win came at least a share of their second Western Athletic Conference title.
Prior to the tip, Kinsley Barrington, Nae Nae Calhoun, and Chloe Webb were honored at center court for their years leading the Lancers to back-to-back 20-plus win seasons. After the photos were taken and the gifts were tucked away off-court, the game began in familiar CBU fashion. The Lancers lept out to an 18-5 lead off an Anaiyah Tu'ua three-pointer after the media timeout, closing the opening frame up eight.
The second quarter was more of the same as CBU went on separate runs of five, six, and seven unanswered points to lead by 20 at the half. The Lancers were locked in early, connecting on 44.4% (8-18) of their three-pointers while holding UTA to just 29% (9-31) total from the field. CBU was true to form in the first half, dominating points in the paint, 12-4, and fast break points, 12-0.
The third period was a bit more level, with UTA even making up some ground at the end to bring it back to a 15-point deficit after 30 minutes. By the end of the third, Tu'ua had already secured a new career-high with 21 points, ultimately finishing the game with a team-high 25. The Lady Mavs weren't going away quietly, though, cutting the Lancer lead to just eight with six minutes to go in the fourth. They would not get any closer than that, thanks largely to Barrington's nine points in the frame. The senior saved her best offensive showing for the 1,150 fans in attendance tonight, setting a new career-high with 23 points.
Fellow seniors Webb and Calhoun posted point totals of 17 and 14, respectively, during their farewell contest at CBU. Webb posted the games only double-double, adding ten boards to her stat line and another four steals to her thievery total this year. Calhoun added seven assists and six rebounds to her stat line. Filipa Barros continued her streak of impacting the game in a significant way outside of the point column, recording game-highs with 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Now sitting at 25-3 overall and 17-2 in conference play, the Lancers have just one regular season test left, but it is significant. CBU heads to Phoenix this weekend to face Grand Canyon, whom they lead in the standings by one game. A win for CBU confirms an outright regular season championship, but that is a big ask against a good Lopes team who will have extra motivation to secure at least a share of the championship on their home court during their own Senior Day. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. Pacific time.
