LA JOLLA, Calif. —No. 13-ranked California Baptist University felt it had lost its defensive identity after its last two games. The Lancers definitely found it Friday night, beating No. 22-ranked San Francisco State 71-50 in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Regional.
 
The fourth-seeded Lancers improve to 26-4 and advance to the West Regional semifinal Saturday night. The fifth-seeded Gators end their season with a 25-6 overall mark after grabbing their first postseason berth since 1994.
 
Michael Smith led all scorers with 21 points (7-for-14), while Kalidou Diouf followed with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Three Lancers were right on the cusp on double figures, each chipping in eight points: Jordan Heading, Bul Kuol (3-for-6) and De'jon Davis (4-for-5).
 
Off the glass, Jason Todd was just one rebound shy of tying his career high, finishing with 14 boards. Kuol tied his career high of six rebounds, helping CBU out-rebound the Gators 40-to-38.
 
After SF State took an 8-2 lead early, CBU turned things around swiftly, scoring 12 unanswered points to jump in front. Smith sparked the run with a three-pointer, while Marquise Mosley, Kuol and Todd all got in on the action with Smith.
 
The Gators tried to contain the Lancers, but Davis floated up a jump shot to threaten a double-digit lead for his team, 20-12.
 
SF State managed to cut the margin to just one point, 24-23, with three minutes before halftime. Heading kept some distance between CBU and the Gators, finding nothing but net from beyond the arc.
 
The Lancers stayed solid on defense and walked into halftime with a 29-25 upper hand.
 
In the second half, the Gators tried to claw their way back in, but CBU was determined to stay in front. Smith finished two free throws before Todd knocked down a three and Davis floated in a shot under the basket to force an SF State timeout, down 38-27, five minutes into the frame.
 
CBU looked to create some separation and built its lead up to 14 points, 46-32, with under 12 minutes to play as Diouf found Smith making a run to the basket for an easy layup.
 
With less than 10 minutes remaining, SF State tried to turn on the defensive pressure and double team the Lancers, but CBU just moved the ball around faster. It resulted in the Lancers jumping out to almost a 20-point lead, 56-37, with eight minutes to go.
 
That 20-point cushion came as Kuol drained a three off a Smith pass, 59-39, and just continued to grow. Heading drained a three and Davis floated in a shot to put the Lancers up 65-41 heading down the stretch.
 
It was too much of a deficit to overcome for SF State as the Lancers coasted to the 71-50 victory.
 
The Lancers will face No. 1 seeded UC San Diego Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., with the victor advancing to the West Regional championship game on Monday with a 7:00 p.m. tip off.