ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — California Baptist built a 17-point halftime lead and cruised to a 74-58 victory over Abilene Christian in a Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. Martel Williams scored 23 points to lead the Lancers, who improved to 13-6. Rich Smith scored 22 points for the Wildcats, who fell to 10-8. California Baptist shot 44.6% from the field and held Abilene Christian to 37.3% shooting. The Lancers’ defense was stifling, recording eight blocks and forcing eight turnovers while maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the second half. A strong first half, where they scored 46 points, provided an insurmountable cushion for the visitors.

ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — A dominant first-half performance by California Baptist set the tone for a decisive 74-58 victory over Abilene Christian in a Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. The Lancers, improving to 13-6 overall, built a commanding 46-29 lead by halftime and never allowed the Wildcats to mount a serious comeback in the second half. Abilene Christian, which shot a frigid percentage from the field throughout the contest, fell to 10-8. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the opening minutes of the first half, where California Baptist established control with a combination of defensive pressure and efficient offense. After Abilene Christian’s Rich Smith opened the scoring with a jumper, the Lancers responded with a 9-0 run to seize a lead they would never relinquish. The surge was fueled by active hands in the passing lanes and an ability to convert in transition, stifling the Wildcats’ early rhythm. Martel Williams led all scorers with 23 points for California Baptist, showcasing a versatile offensive game. Jayden Jackson added 10 points and four assists, while Dominique Daniels and Jordan Mueller each contributed key baskets during the Lancers’ pivotal runs. Mueller, a guard from Germany, hit a pair of crucial three-pointers in the first half to help stretch the lead. Abilene Christian struggled to find consistent offense outside of Smith, who finished with 22 points and six assists. The Wildcats’ 7-foot center Cade Hornecker added eight points, but the team collectively failed to crack California Baptist’s defensive schemes, managing only 29 points in each half. The Lancers’ defensive effort was comprehensive, registering multiple blocks and steals that disrupted Abilene Christian’s flow. California Baptist also won the battle on the glass, securing key offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points and extended possessions, particularly during the first-half blitz that decided the contest’s trajectory. Despite being a slight pregame favorite according to oddsmakers, Abilene Christian could not overcome its offensive woes or contain California Baptist’s balanced attack. The Lancers’ ball movement and unselfish play resulted in high-percentage looks, and they capitalized on Wildcat turnovers to build their substantial early advantage. The game’s attendance was 1,229. California Baptist now looks ahead to a home contest against Utah Tech on Jan. 21. Abilene Christian will aim to rebound quickly, traveling to face Southern Utah on Saturday. The victory marked a significant road win for the Lancers in WAC play, demonstrating their ability to impose their will early and maintain composure against a conference opponent in a challenging environment. The first-half execution, where they outscored the Wildcats by 17 points, proved insurmountable and stands as the definitive chapter in this conference matchup.

Preview: California Baptist at Abilene Christian ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — A pivotal Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup tips off Thursday night when the California Baptist Lancers visit the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Moody Coliseum. The Lancers (12-6, 2-3 WAC) enter on a two-game winning streak following a 58-55 home victory over Southern Utah on Saturday. California Baptist has shown resilience, with its last three conference games decided by five points or fewer, including an overtime loss at Tarleton State on Jan. 3. Abilene Christian (10-7, 2-3) looks to rebound after an 82-72 road loss to Texas-Arlington last Saturday. The Wildcats have been strong at home in conference play, securing an 85-68 win over Utah Valley on Jan. 3. A key battle will feature two standout forwards. California Baptist’s Bradey Henige, coming off a 7-point effort in 21 minutes against Southern Utah, provides interior presence. For Abilene Christian, Bradyn Hubbard has been on a scoring tear, averaging 23.8 points over his last four games. He erupted for 27 points and four rebounds in the loss to Texas-Arlington. The Wildcats’ offense runs through guard Rich Smith, who dished out eight assists in that same game. California Baptist counters with balance, as Jayden Jackson led the team with 13 points in its latest win. Both teams sit at 2-3 in the WAC, making this a crucial game for early conference positioning. California Baptist seeks its first road conference win, while Abilene Christian aims to protect its home court and build momentum before a quick turnaround at Southern Utah on Saturday. Thursday’s contest is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 7 in Riverside, California. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.