RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — Dominique Daniels scored 25 points and California Baptist used a dominant first half to cruise past crosstown foe UC Riverside 80-57 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at a raucous CBU Events Center.

The Lancers improved to 4-0, while the Highlanders fell to 2-3.

California Baptist seized control from the opening tip, building a 49-31 halftime lead. The Lancers’ offense was efficient, scoring 80 points on 78 possessions for an offensive rating of 102.7, while their defense forced UC Riverside into 22 turnovers, converting them into numerous transition opportunities.

Daniels, a guard from Compton, was the catalyst, adding two assists and two steals in 33 minutes of action. He was one of five Lancers to score in double figures, joined by Martel Williams and Jayden Jackson with 12 points each, and Devon Malcolm and Jonathan Griman with 10 apiece. Griman also contributed three blocks.

UC Riverside struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm, managing just 57 points on 80 possessions for an offensive rating of 71.1. The Highlanders shot 36 percent from the field and were a frigid 4 of 21 from three-point range.

Marqui Worthy led the Highlanders with 15 points and three assists. BJ Kolly added 10 points and three blocks, while Osiris Grady chipped in nine points.

The Lancers’ physicality and hustle were evident on the glass, where they outrebounded UC Riverside 53-41 and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 19 second-chance points. California Baptist also recorded 12 steals, with Daniels, Jackson, and Williams applying constant pressure on the perimeter.

After the break, the Highlanders could not mount a significant challenge, as the Lancers maintained their comfortable lead throughout the second half, which saw both teams score 31 points.

A crowd of 3,766 watched the Lancers remain undefeated, continuing their strong start to the season, which includes wins over UC Irvine and Western Illinois. The Highlanders, coming off a narrow two-point loss to North Dakota, will look to regroup on the road.

California Baptist, which was a 9.5-point pregame favorite, saw the total score of 137 fall under the over/under line of 140.5.