Dominique Daniels Jr. stole the show at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center, guiding California Baptist to a 73-64 win over Utah Tech. The Lancers' star guard poured in 26 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, outdueling Utah Tech's Jusaun Holt in a thrilling matchup. California Baptist's victory was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a 10.8-point win for the Lancers. Although the actual margin was slightly narrower at 9 points, the outcome was never truly in doubt after the hosts took control in the second half.
At halftime, California Baptist held a slim 29-26 lead, but they exploded out of the gates in the second period, scoring 44 points to Utah Tech's 38. The Lancers' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Daniels Jr. and Martel Williams forming a potent duo. Williams chipped in with 13 points and 5 rebounds, providing a reliable secondary scoring option. Meanwhile, Bradey Henige contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds, helping to control the paint and limit Utah Tech's second-chance opportunities.
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Jusaun Holt was the lone bright spot for Utah Tech, tallying 21 points and 7 rebounds in a valiant effort. Noah Bolanga added 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Ethan Potter pulled down 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lancers' balanced attack. As the game wore on, California Baptist's defense stiffened, holding Utah Tech at bay and securing the 9-point win.
The victory improves California Baptist's record to 14-6, while Utah Tech falls to 10-11. Although the Lancers were expected to win, the margin of victory is still a significant boost to their resume. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for California Baptist, but the win will still be valuable in terms of building momentum and confidence. For Utah Tech, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which won't be overly damaging to their tournament chances, but it does highlight the need for the Trailblazers to secure more wins against quality opponents.
As the season enters its critical stretch, California Baptist want to build on this win and make a push for a strong tournament seed. With Dominique Daniels Jr. leading the charge, the Lancers have the talent and depth to make a deep run. For Utah Tech, the focus will shift to rebounding from this loss and finding ways to overcome the likes of California Baptist in the future. The Trailblazers' tournament chances are still intact, but they'll need to string together some wins to feel secure about their postseason prospects.