#MustangsWin! CBC Closes 2022 With Road Win Over Louisiana Christian!

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Pineville, La. – Playing for the final time in the 2022 calendar year, Central Baptist College men's basketball was at H.O. West Fieldhouse today for a New Year's Eve tilt with the Wildcats of Louisiana Christian University. CBC (11-4) led 48-38 at halftime and held on, sealing an 86-79 win over LCU (5-7) in comeback fashion in the second half.

            Three Mustangs finished in double figures led by the second career double-double for Braylon Steen. CBC dominated at the free throw line and on the glass, including outscoring LCU 13-7 in second chance opportunities.

GAME FLOW

            The first 15:27 of the game went back and forth with neither team leading by more than four points. With the score 33-32 in favor of LCU, Tomas Mikyska made a pair of free throws with 4:33 left in the first half to start a half closing 16-5 run that saw CBC go into the locker room up 48-38.

            The Mustangs would hold the lead for the first 9:01 of the second half until the Wildcats tied the score at 61-all. The teams would then trade the lead on the next three possessions, until Steen made a pair of free throws with 6:35 left to give CBC a 68-66 lead that they would never relinquish. CBC would go 8-11 at the line down the stretch to close out the 86-79 win.

GAME NOTES

• Steen finished with career highs in both points (27) and rebounds (15) while going 15-18 at the free throw line, the second most made free throws in a game by a Mustang since joining the NAIA in 2009
• Gabe Johnson finished with 15 points
• Brevin Brimble scored 14 points
• Steen made 15 of CBC's 31 free throws on the game, tied for the third most ever in a game and just the ninth time CBC has made at least 30 in a game
• The Mustangs were +13 on the glass, 42-29
• CBC is now 9-2 this season when leading at the half
• The Mustangs finish the 2022 calendar year 21-11

UP NEXT

            CBC returns to American Midwest Conference play on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, when they head to Becknell Gymnasium in Batesville for a game against Lyon. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.