California Baptist overcomes Abilene Christian women in WAC basketball action

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - California Baptist’s Tiena Neal blocked a possible game-tying 3-point goal by Jamie Bonnarens with 12 seconds left in the game, and the Lancers hit 5 of 7 free throws in the final 19 seconds to stave off upset-minded Abilene Christian 75-71 in a Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball game here Saturday.

Madi Miller
Madi Miller

Ane Olaeta, the WAC preseason player of the year, led Cal Baptist (15-2 overall, 6-0 WAC) with 18 points, including all four free-throw attempts in the last 19 seconds as the Lancers won their 10th consecutive game.

Caitlyn Harper added 17 points, and Trinity San Antonio had 11 off the bench for the defending WAC champions.

Cal Baptist, ranked No. 4 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25, took sole possession of the conference lead by a half-game over No. 7 Stephen F. Austin (14-3, 5-0).

Madi Miller and Bella Earle led ACU (12-7, 4-4) with 15 points each. Tatum Barber 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Miller also had 10 rebounds and six assists.

It’s the Wildcats’ second straight loss and their fourth in five games.

Yet, ACU gave the Lancers all they could handle.

The game was tied three times in the fourth quarter with five lead changes. A Barber layup gave the game it’s final tie at 66 with 5:16 to play, but the Lancers got the go-ahead points on a Harper layup with 4:28 left after an ACU turnover.

It sparked a 6-0 Cal Baptist run, only to see the Wildcats make it a one-point game (72-71) with 34 seconds remaining after a Miller trey and Barber layup.

Olaeta was fouled with 19 seconds to go, hit both free throws, and Neale came up with block at the other end. Georgia Dale hit 1 of 2 free throws to put the Lancers up 75-71 with 10 seconds left, and Neal sealed the win with two more free throws after an ACU turnover.

Turnovers ended up being the Wildcats’ undoing. They had 20, while forcing 15. The Lancers outscored ACU 24-9 off the miscues.

ACU plays Texas-Rio Grande Valley (7-10, 3-2) at 6 p.m. Thursday in a conference game at the Teague Center. The Vaqueros beat Dixie State 75-68 on Saturday in Edinburg.

WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

California Baptist 77, ACU 71

Abilene Christian … 18 … 16 … 23 … 14 – 71

California Baptist … 23 … 11 … 21 … 22 – 77

ABILENE CHRISTIAN (12-7, 4-4) – Madi Miller 5-14 2-2 15, Tatum Barber 6-15 0-0 13, Kamryn Mraz 3-9 0-0 8, Jamie Bonnarens 2-15 2-2 6, Emma Middleton 1-4 0-0 2, Bella Earle 6-10 0-0 15, Nykale Cramer 3-3 1-2 9, Taylor Morgan 1-2 0-0 3, Paige Emborsky 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-72 5-6 71.

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST (15-2, 6-0) – Ane Olaeta 6-14 4-4 18, Caitlyn Harper 6-15 4-8 17, Georgia Dale 2-4 1-2 6, Brittany Klaman 2-6 0-0 5, Sydney Palma 1-6 0-0 2, Trinity San Antonio 5-7 0-0 11, Dorcas Wu 4-4 0-0 9, Tiena Neale 2-6 0-0 6, Nicole Avila-Ambrosi 1-4 0-2 3. Totals 29-66 9-16 77.

3-Point Goals – ACU 12-37 (Miller 3-9, Barber 1-6, Mraz 2-6, Bonnarens 0-7, Earle 3-5, Cramer 2-2, Morgan 1-2), Cal Baptist 10-28 (Olaeta 2-4, Harper 1-3, Dale 1-3, Klaman 1-5, Palma 0-2, San Antonio 1-1, Wu 1-1, Neale 2-6, Avila-Ambrosi 1-3). Rebounds – ACU 45 (Barber 11, Miller 10), Cal Baptist 40 (Harper 8, Dale 8). Assists – ACU 18 (Miller 6), Cal Baptist 21 (Olaeta 5). Total Fouls – ACU 19, Cal Baptist 16. Fouled Out – None. Technical Fouls – None.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: California Baptist beats Abilene Christian in women's WAC basketball