Lancers Turn Up the Heat in Opening Night Victory

Monday, November 3

Riverside, Calif.

7:30 PM

California Baptist University

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Photo by: Ella DuPree

Lancers Turn Up the Heat in Opening Night Victory

11/3/2025 10:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Matt Horrocks, Assistant Athletic Director of Communications and Digital Media

RIVERSIDE --- The long-awaited return of college basketball took place on Monday night, as 4,386 fans filled up the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center for opening night. In town to take on the Lancers were the Spartans of South Carolina-Upstate, and after a back-and-forth battle, the Lancers kicked things up a notch, giving the hometown crowd an 87-75 win to celebrate on the drive home.

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— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) November 4, 2025

Head coach Rick Croy stated after the game, "Overall, it was a positive performance. We had some choppy stretches, which is to be expected on opening night. And South Carolina Upstate brought a great effort. They made some big plays."

The Lancers couldn't shake the scrappy Spartans, starting in the first half when Upstate sank a three to give them an 18-16 advantage. But with each punch thrown by the Spartans, the Lancers seemingly had a bigger punch in retaliation. After Upstate took the lead with 8:05 remaining in the half, CBU responded with a 13-2 run to pull away.

At the intermission, the Lancers led by 13.

CBU's lead jumped up to 19 early in the second half, but once again the Spartans started fighting. Upstate clawed their way back into the game, cutting CBU's lead to four.

Needing an answer, the Lancers turned to their reliable scorer, Dominique Daniels Jr. Daniels stepped up in the second half by scoring 15 points on 6-of-11 from the field. Daniels' spark created separation again for the Lancers, this time for good, as there would be no last-minute comeback from the visiting side.

"I think he showed his improvement," added Croy on Daniels' performance. "He started the game off facilitating at a high level, and then when we needed him to turn it on, he was ready to do that. That's where he's grown. He's going to get a lot of attention, and when he gets that attention, he's able to make others better and doesn't lose his aggression as a scorer."

Daniels ended his final opening night in Riverside with a game-high 23 points on 10-of-19 from the field. He also dished out four assists.

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The Lancers closed the game with five players in double-figures. Thomas Ndong dropped 14 to pair with five boards in his CBU debut. Martel Williams (12), Miles Daniels (11), and Jayden Jackson (10) all contributed on the offensive end.

The Lancers will make the short trek to Irvine for their next contest, as the UC Irvine Anteaters await CBU on Friday night. Friday will be a preview of what's to come for the Lancers, as Irvine and CBU will be conference foes starting next season in the Big West.

"We have great respect for them," added Croy on UC Irvine. "They are one of the better defensive programs in the country, and we know going on the road against them, you have to hit all three phases of the game."

Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. The Lancers will return to the Fowler Events Center on November 14 when Western Illinois comes to town.