RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Playing its final game of 2019, the OUAZ men's basketball team pushed California Baptist (NCAA DI) for 32 minutes before falling 92-75 on Saturday night at the CBU Events Center.
 
The game was an exhibition for OUAZ and doesn't count in their overall record or season statistics.
 
After leading by as many as five points early in the first half, OUAZ used a 14-5 run to close the period to enter halftime down by one. The Spirit were unable to take a second half lead and then California Baptist (9-4) outscored them 23-12 over the final 8:10 to escape the upset attempt.  
 
Dimetres Moore led four Spirit players in double figures with 27 points. He scored 20 of those in the first half to help OUAZ enter the break trailing 45-44. Moore shot 9 of 18 overall and hit five of his nine attempts from beyond the arc.
 
OUAZ shot 41.0 percent as a team while scoring 18 fast break points. CBU had a 47-33 edge in rebounds and the Lancers scored 17 points from their 12 offensive rebounds. CBU also turned 15 Spirit turnovers into 21 points.
 
Shazier Lawson and Brian Carey each had a double-double for the Spirit. Lawson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Carey went for 11 points and 13 assists. Elijah Simmons scored 16 points with seven boards and three assists.
 
The Spirit assisted on 18 of their 25 made field goals and used six steals to help for CBU into 14 turnovers.
 
OUAZ now gets set to return to Golden State Athletic Conference play where they open 2020 with three straight road games. That run begins on Saturday, January 4, when they head to Glendale, Arizona, to face in-state rival Arizona Christian at 7:30 p.m.