RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball game defined more by grit than grace, California Baptist survived a frantic final minute to edge Tarleton State 56-55 on Thursday night at CBU Events Center.

The Lancers, despite shooting a frigid 30.5% from the field, leaned on a massive rebounding advantage and clutch free throws down the stretch to escape with a victory that improved their record to 17-6. The Texans, who fell to 11-12, were undone by an inability to connect from beyond the arc and a series of critical late-game turnovers.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final 45 seconds with the score tied at 55. Tarleton State’s Camron McDowell was called for an offensive foul, handing possession back to California Baptist. On the ensuing play, Lancers guard Martel Williams drove and was fouled by Freddy Hicks with 45 seconds remaining. Williams made the first free throw to put California Baptist ahead 56-55 but missed the second.

Tarleton State secured the defensive rebound and called a timeout with 32 seconds left to set up a final play. Out of the timeout, the Texans worked the ball to guard DJ Dormu, whose pull-up jump shot from just inside the foul line rattled out. California Baptist’s Jordan Muller missed a desperation three-pointer as time expired, but the Lancers had done just enough to hold on.

The game was a stark contrast in styles. Tarleton State dominated inside, scoring 38 points in the paint and shooting 45.5% on two-point attempts. Andy Sigiscar led all scorers with 18 points for the Texans, while McDowell added 14 and Dormu finished with 12. However, the Texans were an abysmal 0 for 9 from three-point range and managed only two offensive rebounds all night.

California Baptist countered by attacking the glass relentlessly, hauling in 17 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. The Lancers also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 16 of 20 attempts, while Tarleton State attempted only six free throws, making five. Williams led the Lancers with 15 points, all from the foul line or inside the arc, and Dominique Daniels added 11 points.

Defense set the tone from the opening tip. Both teams combined for 28 turnovers and struggled to find any offensive rhythm. California Baptist led 28-30 at halftime in a low-scoring affair. The Lancers built their largest lead at 45-37 midway through the second half following a 10-0 run keyed by Miles Daniels, who scored seven of his nine points during the surge.

Tarleton State responded with a 12-4 run of its own, tying the game at 49 on a Sigiscar jump shot with just over five minutes to play. The teams traded baskets and free throws over the next four minutes, setting the stage for the tense final minute.

The win gave California Baptist a measure of revenge for an 81-76 overtime loss at Tarleton State on Jan. 3. The Lancers also defied a season-long trend for the Texans, who had been strong in close games prior to this narrow defeat.

California Baptist next hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday. Tarleton State continues its road trip at Southern Utah on Saturday.