WBB: Underclassmen shine as Lancers stay perfect
WBB: Underclassmen shine as Lancers stay perfect
Lemon, Barros Shine Off the Bench as Lancers Remain Undefeated
ST. GEORGE, Utah- When the Utah Tech and CBU women’s basketball teams get together, offensive fireworks are always expected.
On what became a chilly Wednesday night at Burns Arena, things were no different as the two rivals combined to hit 23 3-pointers and score 147 points.
However, in this edition of the rivalry, it was a pair of Lancer underclassmen who sparked CBU to a 78-69 win.
With the win CBU remains perfect on the season at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in WAC play. Utah Tech had its 3-game win streak snapped. The Trailblazers currently sit at 5-3 overall and 1-1 in WAC play.
Khloe Lemon had a career night with 15 points, connecting on four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, teammate Filipa Barros added 12 points with three steals in their third road win of the year.
It was a cold start for CBU’s offense which was held to just 22 percent shooting in the first quarter and trailed 18-11.
However, championship teams find ways to finish halves and that’s exactly what CBU did on Wednesday. Courtesy of a 12-0 run covering nearly two minutes, the Lancers took a 39-31 lead to the half.
Barros and Lemon combined for nine of the 12 points, two steals and an assist in the run. Lemon hit a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left and Barros a layup at the buzzer after an Anaiyah Tu’ua steal.
“We had a lineup in there late in that second half which stepped up the tempo defensively and got us some easy baskets, led by the bench,” Lancers coach Jarrod Olson said.
“Khloe has been playing well so far this year. But she was huge tonight with some timely 3-pointers and her defense. It was also good to see Filipa have a nice outing.”
CBU went on and won the bench scoring line, 33-8, behind the duo.
Utah Tech fought hard and chopped the deficit to five in the third quarter after a Macie Warren 3-pointer.
But the Lancers closed the quarter on a 13-5 run to give themselves some breathing room.
“I rolled the dice, keeping Maddie and Macie on the bench with two fouls there late in the first half, and lost,” Trailblazers coach JD Gustin said. “However, we fought back in a spot where we could’ve easily rolled over and I’m so proud of my team for that.”
Starting the fourth quarter, Utah Tech went on a 9-0 run and closed the deficit to four on another 3-pointer from Macie Warren.
However, CBU held the lead on a late 3-pointer from Lemon and a layup from Chloe Webb.
The Lancer win spoiled a historic night for WAC Preseason Player of the Year Breaunna Gillen, who connected on this third quarter 3-pointer in transition to become Utah Tech’s career scoring leader.
“She’s a tremendous person who cares about everybody and holds them accountable,” Gustin added. “When we got her we knew we were making the jump. But I imagined her being a really good wing.”
“She put the work in on her jumper and the rest of her game and she’s become the best player we’ve ever had at this institution.”
Chloe Webb led CBU with 22 points, five rebounds, and five steals; keeping her streak of scoring 20 points or more alive at six games.
Macie Warren led all scorers with 26 points while Gillen added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Maddie Warren had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Trailblazers.