California Baptist secured a hard-fought 56-55 win over Tarleton State at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center, with Martel Williams leading the charge. Williams' 15 points were instrumental in the Lancers' narrow victory, which saw them trail by two points at halftime before mounting a second-half comeback. The Lancers' win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a 9.9-point margin of victory, although the actual game was much closer, with California Baptist ultimately winning by just one point.
The first half belonged to Tarleton State, who took a 30-28 lead into the break. Andy Sigiscar was unstoppable, scoring 18 points to keep the Texans in front. However, California Baptist regrouped and refocused in the second half, with Williams and Dominique Daniels Jr. taking center stage. Daniels Jr. chipped in with 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Jonathan Griman added 8 points and 7 rebounds to help the Lancers' cause.
As the game intensified, both teams traded baskets, with neither able to gain a significant advantage. In the end, it was California Baptist's defense that made the difference, holding Tarleton State to just 25 points in the second half. The Texans' Cam McDowell and DJ Dormu provided valuable support to Sigiscar, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lancers' determined effort.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win improves California Baptist's record to 17-6, while Tarleton State falls to 11-12. Although the Lancers were expected to win, the narrow margin of victory is a reflection of Tarleton State's resilience. CHD Scout's prediction of a California Baptist win was correct, but the actual scoreline was far closer than anticipated.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For California Baptist, the win is classified as a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not greatly enhance their resume but still represents a valuable addition to their overall record. On the other hand, Tarleton State's loss is considered a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could potentially harm their chances of securing a postseason berth. With a current net ranking of 220, the Texans face an uphill battle to improve their standing.
As the season enters its final stretch, California Baptist want to build on this win and strengthen their tournament credentials. With a net ranking of 108, the Lancers are well-positioned to make a push for a postseason spot, but they must maintain their focus and intensity in the coming weeks. For Tarleton State, the challenge is clear: they must regroup and find a way to bounce back from this narrow defeat if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.