IRVINE, Calif. – California Baptist University won the 2016 PacWest Basketball Championship, beating Azusa Pacific, 101-64, in the tournament final. The third-seeded Lancers captured their first conference tournament crown by beating the top-two seeds in the field.
Michael Smith scored 26 points and had four steals, earning MVP honors for his historic performance in the tournament. The PacWest Player of the Year scored a tournament record 92 points, setting the single-game record in each of the first two games.
Gelaun Wheelwright matched him with 26 points in the final, adding 11 rebounds and four assists to also make the all-tournament team. CBU became the first team to score 100 points in a PacWest Championship game, shooting 58.2 percent and making 13 three-pointers.
Connor Peterson and
Lydell Cardwell each scored 12 points to lead the Cougars.
Petar Kutlesic recorded seven rebounds and two steals.
Wheelwright hit four three-pointers to key a 25-4 run that put CBU up 32-14 with just under eight minutes in the first half. Coming out of a timeout, Smith had a steal and a transition layup to push the lead past 20 points for the first time.
Bruce English scored inside to end APU’s scoring drought at just over five minutes. CBU held a 51-30 lead at the half, shooting 56.7 percent from the field and making 9-of-11 three-pointers.
CBU maintained control throughout the second half, with the lead never dipping below 20 points.
The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Sunday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. PT on
NCAA Live.
All-Tournament Team
Michael Smith – CBU (MVP)
Gelaun Wheelwright – CBU
Petar Kutlesic – APU
Connor Peterson – APU
Scott Friel – BYU-Hawaii
Cory Lange – BYU-Hawaii