California Baptist University
11-7,5-0WAC
Southern Utah University
11-5,3-1WAC
Olsen Comes Up Clutch as CBU Wins OT Thriller over Southern Utah
1/10/2026 3:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CEDAR CITY, UT--- The frontcourt of Emma Johansson and Grace Schmidt, paired with the clutch play of Lauren Olsen, would lead CBU women's basketball to an overtime thriller, 82-77, over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds to remain unbeaten in conference play.
The Lancers' win extends its winning streak to five games and hands the Southern Utah Thunderbirds its first loss in the WAC and its first home loss this season.
Grace Schmidt got the scoring started for the Lancers and would score six of the first eight points for the Lancers in the post. The Thunderbirds and Lancers went back and forth in the opening period, and the two teams would exchange triples in the final minute to make the score 20-19 after one quarter of action.
Both offenses struggled mightily in the second quarter of action, as the defenses on both sides made things difficult for one another. The Lancers were only able to connect on three field goals in the period, as they shot under 20% from the floor. Southern Utah fared a tad better, making six field goals while shooting 35%, which allowed them to take the lead from CBU. The Thunderbirds would lead by as many as seven points in the frame and would take a 34-27 lead into the half.
The Lancers completely flipped the script in the third period as their offense exploded behind the play of its frontcourt. Schmidt and Emma Johansson would score 17 of the team's 25 points in the frame, including ten from Johansson. The Lancers would outscore Southern Utah 25-12 in the frame while shooting 56% from the floor to retake the momentum away from the home team. CBU's defense was also stellar in the period, holding Southern Utah to 29% shooting and just five made field goals.
The heavyweight battle continued into the fourth quarter as the Lancers looked to Schmidt to continue their offensive firepower. Schmidt would score nine points in the fourth quarter as the teams went back and forth once again. The Lancers went ahead by as many as seven points in the period, but the Thunderbirds would retaliate with key scoring runs to keep themselves in the game. Trailing 66-64, the Lancers would get a huge triple from Filipa Barros to take the lead with 44 seconds remaining. Southern Utah would respond with a three of their own with 33 seconds. After a pair of empty possessions by both teams, Lauren Olsen would drive to the basket in the waning seconds and would connect on her only field goal of the second half to tie the game at 69 apiece and send the game to overtime.
In the overtime period, Olsen would lead the way after sending the Lancers to extra time. The reigning WAC Player/Newcomer of the Week would score nine of CBU's 13 points in the period as the Lancers outlasted Southern Utah 81-73 at the America First Events Center.
The frontcourt of Schmidt and Johansson was the driving force in the victory, combining for 44 points on 18 made field goals. Schmidt would contribute a season-high 23 points while Johansson would tie a career-high with 21 points that she had at Pepperdine in early December. Olsen finished with 16 total points in the game, while Khloe Lemon contributed eight off the bench.
NEXT: The Lancers will return to Riverside for a home matinee against Abilene Christian on Thursday, January 15, at 11 AM.
