California Baptist University
3-0,0-0WAC
Western Illinois University
0-4,0-0OVC
Lancers Dominate the Glass in 69-59 Win
11/14/2025 10:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE --- A near-capacity crowd of 5,088 fans filled the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center, as the Lancers welcomed Western Illinois for Parent & Family Weekend. On a night where the Lancers dominated the rebound game, CBU turned in a second-half run offensively to pull away for a 69-59 finish.
Friday's win moves the Lancers to 3-0 to start the season for the first time since 2021.
Winning calls for postgame highlights 🎦#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/L4Pgaky4Y2
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) November 15, 2025
"I think we have a great group," said head coach Rick Croy. "They're committed to the process. I mean, they come in and work every single day. I thought tonight was a grind, but I think a lot of that was Western. They've been on the road. They're already battle-tested, and they did a lot of things that bothered us tonight, but I'm super proud of our guys for pulling through."
It took some time for either team to gain its footing. For the Lancers, having been away from competition for a week, it took three minutes before a steal turned into a fastbreak bucket for Devon Malcolm to start the scoring. Malcolm carried that momentum into a fast start as he scored seven of CBU's first ten points and entered halftime with nine points on 4-of-5 from the field.
The Lancers held a narrow advantage at the intermission, leading 32-28 on the scoreboard. That lead came following an 8-2 run by the Lancers, with Dominique Daniels Jr. and Jayden Jackson connecting on 3-pointers before the half.
CBU kept their foot on the gas to start the second half, beginning with back-to-back baskets from Martel Williams. The Lancers began to pull away and eventually took their first double-digit lead on a triple from Jordan Muller.
The Lancers saw their lead jump to 14 with ten minutes remaining in regulation, but they couldn't escape the Leathernecks. WIU went on an 8-2 run late in the game to pull within six, but they resorted to fouling in the final 90 seconds. CBU scored its final six points at the charity stripe, as they wrapped up the win on their home floor.
Williams wrapped up the game with his first double-double with the Lancers. Williams paired 15 points with a career-high 12 boards. Daniels Jr. led the scoring with 22 points on 6-of-16 from the floor.
The Lancers controlled the game on the glass Friday night. Thomas Ndong led the way with a career-best 14 boards, and Bradey Henige added eight. CBU outrebounded WIU 50-29, with 21 boards coming on the offensive end. The Lancers turned those into 14 second-chance points.
"We have to be great on the glass every single night," added Croy. "We feel like that's something that's within our control. You know, with shooting, you're gonna have your off nights, but you can always control your defensive effort and your rebounding, and the guys did that tonight."
The Lancers will return to the floor on Tuesday when UC Riverside enters the Fowler Events Center for the Crosstown Showdown. Tuesday's meeting with the Highlanders will be the final non-conference meeting in this rivalry, as the two sides will both call the Big West Conference home.
"These guys want to get right back to it," said Croy about the short turnaround. "They're excited for a great competition, and a great competitive effort on Tuesday night."
CBU will also host Grambling State on Friday, November 21, wrapping up a three-game homestand. Following the homestand, the Lancers will play five straight away from Riverside. Tickets for all non-conference home games are on sale HERE.
