Dominique Daniels Jr.'s clutch three-pointers in the final two minutes propelled No. 2 seed Cal Baptist to a thrilling 63-61 victory over top-seeded Utah Valley, clinching their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Lancers' historic win at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament was sealed by Daniels Jr.'s 23 points, including three late three-pointers that broke Utah Valley's seven-game winning streak.
Key Takeaways
Dominique Daniels Jr.'s three crucial three-pointers in the final two minutes led Cal Baptist to a 63-61 victory over Utah Valley, securing their first NCAA Tournament berth. The Lancers' historic win capped off a tournament where they also defeated Utah Tech and Tarleton State.
The championship game was a nail-biter, with Utah Valley's Jackson Holcombe leading his team with 18 points and Trevan Leonhardt contributing 10 rebounds and eight assists. For Cal Baptist, Bradey Henige scored 11 points, and Jonathan Griman added 10 before fouling out.
The Lancers' journey to the championship included a hard-fought 86-72 semifinal victory over Utah Tech, where Daniels Jr. scored a game-high 41 points. Jayden Jackson contributed significantly with five three-pointers and 19 points for Cal Baptist. In contrast, Ethan Potter led Utah Tech with 25 points.
Cal Baptist's women's team also made history by defeating Abilene Christian 74-58 to secure their second WAC championship in the past three seasons. Lauren Olson scored 17 points and had three steals for the Lancers, who will depart the WAC for the Big West effective July 1st.
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