RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — California Baptist defeated Sacramento State 74-67 in a men’s nonconference basketball game Saturday at CBU Events Center. The Lancers (10-3) led 38-34 at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half before securing the win in front of 3,601 fans. Jahni Summers led all scorers with 21 points for the Hornets (4-7). Martel Williams paced California Baptist with 14 points and four assists, while Thomas Ndong added 12 points and two blocks. Sacramento State’s Mikey Williams contributed 18 points and five assists in the loss.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, California Baptist held off a persistent Sacramento State squad for a 74-67 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at a sold-out CBU Events Center. A crowd of 3,601 saw the Lancers improve to 10-3, using a balanced offensive attack and key defensive stops to navigate a contest where the Hornets repeatedly closed within striking distance. Sacramento State fell to 4-7 despite a game-high 21 points from guard Jahni Summers. The most critical phase of the game unfolded late in the second half. With just over six minutes remaining and California Baptist leading 65-62, Sacramento State’ Jahni Summers connected on a 3-pointer off an assist from Mikey Williams to tie the game, capping a 7-0 Hornets run and setting the stage for a tense finish. The Lancers responded immediately. On the ensuing possession, Thomas Ndong secured an offensive rebound and finished a putback dunk. After a Sacramento State miss, Ndong again impacted the game defensively, blocking a shot that led to a transition opportunity. Martel Williams, who played all 40 minutes and finished with 14 points and four assists, then converted a driving layup to push the lead back to 69-65. Sacramento State clawed back once more. Summers, the 6-foot-6 junior from Evansville, Indiana, stole the ball from Ndong and raced for a layup to cut the deficit to two with 4:18 left. The Hornets then forced a stop and had a chance to tie or take the lead, but their ensuing possession ended in a turnover. California Baptist capitalized as Dominique Daniels drove for a layup while being fouled, completing the three-point play to extend the lead to 72-67 with 1:18 on the clock. The Hornets would not score again, missing their final four field goal attempts as the Lancers sealed the game at the free-throw line. California Baptist established control early, building a 38-34 halftime lead behind interior activity and transition play. The Lancers’ depth was on display as five players scored between nine and 14 points. Beyond Martel Williams, Ndong, the 6-foot-10 center from Montreal, provided 12 points, two blocks, and a game-high nine rebounds. Jayden Jackson added 12 points, while Daniels chipped in 11 points and three assists. Sacramento State, however, refused to let the game slip into a blowout. Every time the Lancers threatened to pull away, the Hornets answered. Mikey Williams, a 6-foot-3 guard from San Diego, contributed 18 points and five assists, often creating opportunities for Summers. The Hornets shot efficiently in stretches but were ultimately undone by 15 turnovers and a 36-28 disadvantage on the boards, which led to 15 second-chance points for California Baptist. The Lancers’ victory, while expected by oddsmakers who installed them as 13-point favorites, was harder earned than the final margin suggested. The total points scored, 141, fell well under the pregame over/under line of 152.5, indicative of the physical, stop-start nature of the contest in the second half. California Baptist now looks ahead to Western Athletic Conference play, beginning a road trip at Utah Valley on Dec. 29. The Lancers have won eight of their last nine games. Sacramento State, which has faced a rigorous early schedule with road games against power-conference opponents, will seek to end a three-game skid when it travels to face Cal State Northridge on Monday. The Hornets begin Big Sky Conference action on Jan. 1 at Idaho State.

Preview: Sacramento State at California Baptist RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging California Baptist team looks to continue its strong non-conference play when it hosts Sacramento State in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at CBU Events Center. The Lancers (9-3) enter the contest having won three of their last four, including a 75-67 home victory over Southern on Tuesday. They are a perfect 6-0 in Riverside this season. California Baptist is powered by guard Dominique Daniels, who is in the midst of a stellar offensive stretch. Over his last three games, Daniels is averaging 31.7 points, including a 34-point performance in a road win at Eastern Washington and a 30-point effort against Southern. He has played 40 minutes in four of the last six contests. Sacramento State (4-6) seeks to steady itself after a challenging early schedule. The Hornets are coming off a 110-88 road loss at Baylor on Dec. 2, their most recent outing. In that game, guards Prophet Johnson and Mikey Williams each scored 21 points. The Hornets’ victories have come against lower-division opponents Jessup and Dominican, alongside Presbyterian and San Francisco State. The Hornets have struggled away from home, posting an 0-5 record in true road games against Division I competition. Those losses have come by an average margin of 19.2 points. California Baptist’s defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 67.2 points per game. The Lancers’ three losses have come on the road against Power Five opponents Utah, BYU and Colorado. For Sacramento State, containing Daniels will be the primary defensive challenge. The Hornets have allowed 88.7 points per game in their six losses this season. This is the first meeting between the programs since 2021. Following this game, Sacramento State travels to Cal State Northridge on Monday. California Baptist’s next game is at Utah Valley on Dec. 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST Saturday at the 5,050-seat CBU Events Center.