CA Baptist defeats Sacramento St 74-67
CA Baptist Edges Sacramento St in Thrilling Home Victory
The Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center was electric on Monday night as CA Baptist pulled off a hard-fought 74-67 win over visiting Sacramento St. The Grizzlies, playing at home, demonstrated their depth and resilience to outlast the Hornets.
The game was closely contested from the start, with both teams trading baskets in the first half. At halftime, CA Baptist led by two points, but it was clear that neither team had any clear advantage. In the second half, Sacramento St's offense began to click, as Jahni Summers scored 10 of his 21 points.
However, CA Baptist's Martel Williams was equally impressive on the other end, scoring 14 points and grabbing four rebounds. The senior guard's all-around performance was a key factor in the Grizzlies' victory, as he also dished out four assists and stole the show with several clutch plays down the stretch.
CA Baptist's Thomas Ndong was an unstoppable force in the paint, grabbing 17 rebounds and scoring 12 points to complement Williams. The senior center's dominance on the glass allowed CA Baptist to secure crucial rebounds and limit Sacramento St's second-chance opportunities.
The Grizzlies' balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Hornets to handle. Sacramento St struggled from beyond the arc, making just six of their 18 three-point attempts (33.3%), while CA Baptist shot a respectable 39% from beyond the arc.
CA Baptist's eFG% was an impressive 46.5%, which helped them control the tempo of the game and limit Sacramento St's scoring opportunities. The Grizzlies also outrebounded their opponents by four, including 17 on the glass.
The win marked CA Baptist's first home victory of the season, as they improve to 1-0 in non-conference play. For Sacramento St, it was a tough road loss, but the team will look to bounce back in their next outing.
Key Stats:
* Martel Williams (CA Baptist): 14 points, 4 assists
* Thomas Ndong (CA Baptist): 17 rebounds, 12 points
* Jahni Summers (Sacramento St): 21 points
Game Flow:
* Halftime: CA Baptist led by two points, 38-36.
* Largest lead: CA Baptist's 12-point advantage in the first half.
This victory will be a significant bounce-back win for CA Baptist, and their upcoming schedule is sure to bring more challenges.