RIVERSIDE, Calif. – California Baptist utilized a late first half run, and carried that momentum into the second half to pull away from Lamar University Thursday evening at the CBU Events Center. CBU defeated the Cardinals, 81-63.
 
The Cardinals (2-21/0-12 WAC) shot 24-of-60 (.400) from the field, led by 14 points (and 10 rebounds) from senior Lincoln Smith. Smith was one of two Cardinals in double figures joining classmate C.J. Roberts (16 points).
 
CBU finished the night shooting 27-of-54 (.500) from the field, with the majority of their damage coming from long range. The Lancers converted 15-of-27 (.556) three-point attempts. They also edged out LU on the boards, 38-32. CBU's Tre Armstrong led all scorers with 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
The opening 20 minutes was a tightly contested game that saw CBU build a six-point advantage nine minutes into the game, but the Cardinals had an answer. Responding to a Lancer triple, LU answered with a long range basket from Avontez Ledet to pull within three. Ledet's basket sparked a 9-0 run as the Cardinals took a three-point lead, 17-14, at the under eight media timeout.
 
Unfortunately, the lead didn't last long, as Cal Baptist answered with a run of their own. Sparked by Armstrong's 25 points, the Lancers closed the half on a 20-8 run to take a nine-point lead into the locker room.
 
The Lancers carried their momentum from the end of the first half over to the second. CBU knocked down 10 of their first 15 shots in the second half. The Lancers hot start to the second half pushed a lead from six points approximately two minutes into the half up to a 21-point lead six minutes later. The Lancers never really cooled off from the field holding the advantage for the win.
 
The Cardinals now turn their attention toward a Saturday showdown against Seattle. The game against the Redhawks will tip off at 1 p.m. in Seattle.