California Baptist Faces UT Arlington in Crucial WAC Showdown

ARLINGTON, Texas — California Baptist University will face UT Arlington in a key Western Athletic Conference basketball matchup at the College Park Center on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. Both teams are vying for a stronger position in the WAC standings, with California Baptist holding a slight edge as a 1.5-point favorite.

The Lancers (12-11, 5-4 WAC) come into this game following an 85-71 victory over Grand Canyon, showcasing their improved form with three wins in their last four games. Conversely, the Mavericks (11-13, 4-6 WAC) are looking to bounce back after a narrow 67-65 loss to Seattle.

California Baptist has struggled on the road, currently owning a 3-5 away record this season. Senior guard Dominique Daniels Jr. has been a key player for the Lancers, scoring in double figures in 22 of 23 games this season. He averages 19.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, making him a player to watch in this important matchup.

“I focus on every game and try to help my team win,” Daniels said after recent performances. His teammate, senior forward Kendal Coleman, has also been pivotal for the Lancers, contributing an average of 11.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Coleman is coming off a strong performance with 19 points and five rebounds against Grand Canyon.

On the other side, the Mavericks have been solid at home with a 7-2 record this season. Their scoring leader, senior forward Lance Ware, averages 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Ware’s physical presence in the paint will be crucial as UT Arlington looks to establish dominance in its territory.

“We need to protect our home court and play smart basketball,” Ware remarked, emphasizing the importance of their home advantage.

The game features a projected over/under of 144 points, a statistic that indicates a highly competitive matchup. The Lancers’ offensive strategy will need to connect efficiently, as they put up an average of 73.2 points per game while defending against a Mavericks team averaging 75.2 points per outing.

SportsLine’s model predicts the total points to land under the set line, estimating around 143 combined points for the evening. Prior to the game, the Lancers have an ATS record of 8-15-0 this season, while the Mavericks stand at 10-12-0 against the spread.

California Baptist’s recent performance signals improvement, and they seek to continue this trend to climb further in the WAC standings. Both teams must play at their best to secure a victory in this crucial conference play.