California Baptist secured a hard-fought 58-55 win over Southern Utah at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center, thanks in large part to a strong performance from Dominique Daniels Jr. The junior guard poured in 20 points to pace the Lancers, who improved to 15-6 on the season. Southern Utah, meanwhile, fell to 7-14 despite a valiant effort from Jaiden Feroah, who finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with California Baptist taking a slim 24-22 lead into the break. The Lancers' defense was stingy, holding Southern Utah to just 22 points on 32% shooting. However, the Thunderbirds' offense found its rhythm in the second half, scoring 33 points to keep the game tight. California Baptist's offense was equally effective, scoring 34 points in the second half to secure the win.
Daniels Jr. was the catalyst for the Lancers' offense, scoring from both inside and outside the arc. He was aided by Jayden Jackson, who chipped in 13 points, and Thomas Ndong, who added 8 points and 11 rebounds. For Southern Utah, Feroah was the primary threat, using his quickness and agility to get to the rim. Tanner Hayhurst and Cale Barclay provided support, scoring 9 points apiece.
While the win was not an upset, it was an important one for California Baptist. As a Quadrant 4 game, it was a contest the Lancers were expected to win, and they did just enough to come out on top. The victory will not significantly boost California Baptist's tournament resume, but it does help to avoid a potentially damaging loss. For Southern Utah, the game was a Quadrant 2 opportunity, and although they came up short, they can take pride in their competitive effort.
The loss drops Southern Utah to 7-14, and with a net ranking of 293, their tournament hopes are all but extinguished. However, the Thunderbirds can still play spoiler in their remaining games, and their performance against California Baptist suggests they have the talent to compete with stronger opponents.
For California Baptist, the win keeps them in the mix for a potential tournament bid. With a net ranking of 116, they still have work to do to secure a spot in the field. However, with a strong performance from Daniels Jr. and a gritty team effort, the Lancers have taken a small step in the right direction. As they continue through their schedule, they must build on this win and secure more victories to bolster their tournament resume.