RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Despite overcoming a 13-point deficit and pulling within one point with two seconds left, Tarleton State Women's Basketball was unable to complete the comeback and was defeated by California Baptist 73-72 on Thursday afternoon at the Fowler Events Center. 
 
Tarleton State's bench came up in the clutch once again for the Texans, scoring 38 points on Thursday. The Texans also grabbed 20 offensive rebounds for the third straight game, the first time since 2009 Tarleton State grabbed 20 or more offensive rebounds in three straight games. 
 
Senior guard Niki Van Wyk led the Texans with 16 points while junior guard Karyn Sanford also added 14 points off the bench. Van Wyk and Sanford each knocked down four 3-pointers and accounted for 80% of the Texans' makes from beyond the arc. Senior guard Arieona Rosborough and sophomore center Faith Acker added 12 points each on Thursday. 
 
Trading baskets to open the first quarter, CBU scored on three straight possessions to take an early 11-4 lead. The Texans knocked down a 3-pointer before the Lancers used a 7-0 scoring run to move ahead by double digits. CBU made 11 of its first 14 shots to take a 26-14 advantage through the first 10 minutes. 
 
CBU looked to put Tarleton State away early, but the Texans had other ideas. 
 
The Texans opened the second quarter on a 9-0 scoring run capped off by a steal and basket from Rosborough to make it a three-point game. CBU countered with a pair of buckets before Sanford's first 3-pointer of the game made it one-possession game once again. Tarleton State found Sanford again, who hit nothing but the bottom of the net to tie it up at 36. 
 
CBU responded on its next two possessions, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to retake a six-point lead with four minutes to play in the first half. After baskets from Acker and Rosborough, the Texans looked to take its first lead of the game off a turnover and knew who to turned to. 
 
Sanford knocked down her third 3-pointer in transition with ease and gave the Texans their first lead of the game with one minute. CBU responded with a basket 21 seconds later, taking a one-point lead going into the locker room. 
 
A 3-pointer by senior forward Andjela Bigovic gave the Texans the lead to open the third quarter, but CBU used an 11-0 scoring run to take a 52-43 lead. CBU moved ahead by double figures again and finished the third period shooting 50% to take a 12-point lead. The Lancers continued momentum early in the final period, hitting back-to-back free throws to move up by 13. 
 
Once again, the Texans wouldn't quit. 
 
After going on a 9-0 scoring run, Van Wyk and senior guard Tyler Jackson scored consecutive buckets to make it a one-possession game. CBU, however, scored a layup with 1:20 left in regulation. Van Wyk answered the bell, hitting a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game with just over a minute to play. 
 
CBU got the basket they needed and found Khloe Lemon for a floating jump shot to make it a two-possession game with 38 seconds left. Rosborough hit a free throw and scored a layup with three seconds left to make it one-point game. The Texans were unable to foul at the end to stop the clock and CBU held on for the one-point win. 
 
Tarleton State looks to rebound on Saturday at Wisdom Gym against Grand Canyon, a top 10 team in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. Saturday night's showdown will be "White Out Wisdom", where fans in attendance will receive free white Tarleton State T-Shirts.
 
Postgame Notes

• Down by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Tarleton State was unable to complete the comeback and was defeated by California Baptist 73-72 on Thursday afternoon. Tarleton State moves to 2-2 in WAC play while CBU is 3-0. 
• Tarleton State played its fifth Education Day game of the season, leading the nation in kids games. They finished with a record of 2-3 in Education Day games. 
• The Texans grabbed 20 offensive rebounds on Thursday afternoon, their third straight game with 20 or more offensive boards. It is the first time since 2009 (at Texas A&M Kingsville, Angelo State, Central Oklahoma) that a Tarleton State women's basketball team had 20 or more offensive rebounds in three straight games.
• Tarleton State's bench scored 38 points on Thursday, its second straight game with at least 34 points. The Texans now have a record of 7-3 when the bench scores at least 20 points in a game. 
• Senior guard Niki Van Wyk scored 16 points and hit four 3-pointers to lead the Texans in scoring. She is averaging 16.5 points per game in her last two games. 
• Junior guard Karyn Sanford matched a season-high 14 points off the bench on Thursday. It is her second game this season where she made four 3-pointers.