California Baptist To Face New Mexico in Women’s NIT
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – For the second time in program history, California Baptist will compete in the 2021 Postseason Women's National Invitational Tournament. The unbeaten Lancers are set to take on New Mexico in the first round of the WNIT.
Following a WAC regular-season title and the only undefeated regular season in WAC history, the Lancers (24-0, 14-0) were named one of nine automatic qualifiers for the WNIT. They also went on to win the WAC Tournament; however, CBU is unable to represent the WAC in the NCAA Tournament due to its transitioning status. The Lancers are led by WAC Player of the Year Ane Olaeta who led the nation in assists per game (8.4) while also scoring 11.7 points per game. Redshirt sophomore Caitlyn Harper emerged as the Lancers' leading scorer after a pair of breakout performances in the WAC Tournament that helped her finish the season at 13.5 points per game.
New Mexico (15-4, 11-3) also garnered automatic qualification as they will compete in the WNIT after finishing as the regular-season champion in the Mountain West. The Lobos are led by 14.6 points per game from junior guard LaTascya Duff. Senior New Mexico native Jaedyn De La Cerda comes in just behind Duff, accounting for 14.3 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds per game.
California Baptist is scheduled to square off with New Mexico on Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m. MT in Fort Worth, Texas. All games will be available on FloHoops.