RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — Abilene Christian built a commanding first-half lead and never trailed, defeating California Baptist 70-58 in a Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday afternoon at CBU Events Center. The Wildcats seized control early, leading 43-25 at halftime after scoring 24 points in the second quarter. The Lancers mounted a fourth-quarter rally but could not overcome the deficit. Abilene Christian improved to 13-5 overall, while California Baptist fell to 11-8. A crowd of 4,157 attended.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A dominant first-half performance by Erin Woodson and Natalia Chavez propelled Abilene Christian to a wire-to-wire 70-58 victory over California Baptist in a Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday afternoon at CBU Events Center. The Wildcats (13-5, 3-1 WAC) seized control early, opening the game on a 19-5 run and never looking back. They led 43-25 at halftime, capitalizing on a sluggish start by the Lancers (11-8, 3-2), who shot poorly from the field and committed 10 first-half turnovers. Woodson, a junior from Richmond, Virginia, was the catalyst, scoring 17 of her game-high 23 points before the break. She finished an efficient 8 of 13 from the field and added seven rebounds and three steals in 37 minutes. Chavez, a sophomore from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico, provided crucial scoring support with 20 points, including three 3-pointers. The most important stretch of the game came in the second quarter after California Baptist had trimmed a 14-point deficit down to nine. With the Lancers threatening to build momentum, Abilene Christian responded with a decisive 12-2 run. The surge was fueled by defensive stops and timely scoring, including a 3-pointer from Payton Hull and back-to-back layups from Woodson. That sequence pushed the Wildcats’ lead back to 19 points and effectively stifled the home crowd of 4,157, re-establishing a margin that California Baptist could not overcome. California Baptist showed more fight after halftime, outscoring Abilene Christian 33-27 in the second half behind an assertive effort from Emma Johansson. The junior from Jonkoping, Sweden, recorded 15 points, six blocked shots and three assists. Lauren Olsen from Douglas, Wyoming, led the Lancers with 19 points. Despite Johansson’s rim protection, the Lancers could not string together enough offensive possessions to seriously challenge. They shot just 32% from the field for the game and were hampered by 17 total turnovers, which Abilene Christian converted into 18 points. The Wildcats, who entered as underdogs according to National Statistical’s ELO projection which favored California Baptist with a 56.3% win probability, showcased a balanced attack. Hull, from Peaster, Texas, contributed 15 points and five rebounds, while point guard Breanna Davis of Waxahachie, Texas, directed the offense with seven assists. Abilene Christian’s defense was particularly effective in limiting California Baptist’s perimeter game, holding the Lancers to 4-of-23 shooting from 3-point range. The Wildcats also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding California Baptist 42-38. The victory marks Abilene Christian’s third straight win in WAC play and improves its road record to 5-3 this season. California Baptist, which had won three of its last four, sees a two-game home winning streak snapped. Abilene Christian continues its road trip at Southern Utah on Saturday. California Baptist travels to face Utah Tech next Thursday.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Thursday when the surging Abilene Christian Wildcats visit the California Baptist Lancers at CBU Events Center. The Wildcats (12-5, 3-1 WAC) enter on a three-game winning streak, most recently edging Texas-Arlington 59-56 on Saturday. Guard Erin Woodson, the team’s offensive catalyst, scored 21 points in that victory. She averages 15.3 points over her last seven games, including a 21-point performance in a 112-54 rout of Nelson on Dec. 29. California Baptist (11-7, 4-0) sits atop the early WAC standings and is also riding a four-game win streak. The Lancers are coming off an 82-77 overtime road win at Southern Utah. Forward Emma Johansson led the way with 21 points and two blocks. Over the last seven games, Johansson has been a defensive anchor, averaging 2.1 blocks, including a five-block outing in a win at Utah Tech on Jan. 8. This matchup features a contrast in strengths. Abilene Christian boasts the more efficient offense, while California Baptist has established a formidable defense during conference play. The Lancers’ perfect 4-0 WAC record will be tested by a Wildcats squad whose five losses have come by an average of just 7.2 points. The game is a critical early conference test for both teams. They are scheduled to meet again in Abilene, Texas, on Feb. 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST Thursday at the 5,050-seat CBU Events Center.