California Baptist University
Tarleton State University
WBB Preview: CBU Set to Take on Tarleton State in WAC Semifinal Showdown
3/12/2026 2:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University women's basketball team will open up its 2026 WAC Vegas journey in the semifinals on Friday afternoon as they will face the sixth-seeded Tarleton State Texans at the Orleans Arena.
The Lancers finished the season as regular-season champs with a 15-3 conference record and a perfect 9-0 conference road record. The regular season title was the third in six seasons under Jarrod Olson for the Lancers, and it will also be the third time they enter the tournament as the favorites.
The Lancers' opponent will be the Texans of Tarleton State, whom they swept in the regular season. CBU has never faced the Texans in the conference tournament, but does hold a 10-1 overall record against them in conference matchups. This season, the Lancers won the three games during the conference slate by an average of 10 points, with their largest win coming in early January, 80-68. On the road, the Lancers bested the Texans by 9 and 10 points, respectively. The Texans won their opening round matchup against #4 Utah Valley in a thriller, overcoming a double-digit second-half deficit to defeat the Wolverines 60-57.
CBU's tournament record is 7-3 overall since becoming tournament-eligible in 2021. The Lancers lost in last year's WAC Tournament in the quarterfinals to UT Arlington amid an injury-plagued season. This season, the Lancers will be led by several star figures, including recently-dubbed WAC Freshman of the Year Lauren Olsen, who led the Lancers in scoring at over 15 per contest. CBU will also have the services of WAC Defensive Player of the Year Emma Johansson, who finished in the top three in the NCAA in blocks and blocks per game during the regular season. Coach Olson also earned his fourth WAC Coach of the Year honor, while CBU had six players named to the All-WAC teams.
MATCHUP INFO: WAC SEMIFINALS
WHEN: Friday, March 13- 12 PM PT
WHERE: Orleans Arena- Las Vegas, NV
WATCH: ESPN+
