In a thrilling finish, the Cal Baptist Lancers claimed their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history by defeating the top-seeded Utah Valley Wolverines 63-61 in the final of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament on March 9, 2024. The victory marked a significant milestone for Cal Baptist, which has transitioned from Division II to Division I athletics.
Dominique Daniels Jr. was pivotal in the win, scoring 23 points, including three crucial three-pointers in the last two minutes of the game. His performance helped the second-seeded Lancers extend their winning streak to six games, finishing the season with a record of 25-8.
Decisive Moments in Paradise
The game, held in Paradise, Nevada, saw a dramatic turnaround in the closing moments. After trailing, Daniels hit back-to-back three-pointers, tying the score at 60 with just over a minute remaining. Following an offensive rebound, Jackson Holcombe made one of two free throws, putting Utah Valley ahead briefly. However, with the shot clock winding down, Daniels nailed a pull-up three-pointer, giving Cal Baptist a crucial two-point lead with only 14.6 seconds left.
Utah Valley, which wrapped up the regular season as champions of the conference for the second consecutive year, had its seven-game winning streak snapped. The Wolverines ended their season with the same overall record of 25-8, but they will move on to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) after securing an automatic invite.
During the match, Holcombe led Utah Valley with 18 points, while Isaac Davis contributed 12 points. Trevan Leonhardt played a significant role defensively, recording ten rebounds and eight assists, while also managing to limit Daniels’ effectiveness at times.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
Cal Baptist’s victory is particularly noteworthy as it represents the culmination of a journey that began with their transition to Division I in 2018. The Lancers became eligible for postseason play in the 2022-23 season and have now set a program record for single-season wins in their Division I era. Their impressive performance this season has captured the attention of college basketball fans, and they eagerly await their seeding and first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament.
Both Cal Baptist and Utah Valley will be joining the Big West Conference starting next season. The WAC will rebrand as the United Athletic Conference, marking a new chapter for both programs.
As the basketball season progresses, the Lancers look forward to their historic NCAA Tournament journey, while the Wolverines prepare for their next challenge in the NIT.
