RIVERSIDE – It wasn’t the ending Ane Olaeta wanted, but it was an ending nonetheless.
Olaeta had 16 points but turned the ball over seven times in her last collegiate game as the Cal Baptist women’s basketball team lost 76-67 to San Diego in a first-round game of WNIT at the CBU Events Center Thursday night.
“Even though things didn’t go the way we wanted, it was still a blessing,” said Olaeta, who has averaged 15 points this season. “I’m frustrated, but I gave it my all.”
San Diego Toreros guard Steph Gorman #4 battles for loose ball against California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Ane Olaeta #3 is pressured by San Diego Toreros guard Erica Martinsen #20 during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers forward Britney Thomas #32 blocks San Diego Toreros guard Sydney Hunter #32 who was shot Thursday, March 17, 2022 in the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers Guard Georgia Dale #10 makes the past under pressure from left San Diego Bullfighters Guard Erica Martinsen #20, Bullfighters Guard Sydney Hunter #32 and Bullfighters Center Laura Erikstrup #11 during the first half of the opening round of WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Sydney Palma #14 reacts after a CBU foul on San Diego Bullfighters during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press company/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers head coach Jarrod Olson questions a call from an official during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG )
Dancers from the California Baptist Lancers perform during a time-out during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Sydney Palma #14 is defended by San Diego Toreros guard Kylie Horstmeyer #24 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
San Diego Toreros guard Steph Gorman #4 is defended by California Baptist Lancers guard Nicole Avila-Ambrosi #2 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
San Diego Toreros guard Ayanna Khalfani #5 meets California Baptist Lancers guard Ane Olaeta #3 as she drives to the hoop during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
during the second half of the opening round of WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers forward Britney Thomas #32 keeps an eye on the San Diego Toreros players during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press Company/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Ane Olaeta #3 drives past San Diego bullfighters guard Ayanna Khalfani #5 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022 Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The California Baptist Lancers cheerleader gets loud, even without fans behind her, during a San Diego Toreros free throw in the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson , /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 drives for hope between San Diego Toreros defenders during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
Dancers from the California Baptist Lancers perform during a time-out during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Sydney Palma #14 is defended by San Diego Toreros guard Kylie Horstmeyer #24 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 reacts after being called for a technical foul in the second half of the opening round of the WNIT on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at the CBU Events Center in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press Company/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Georgia Dale #10 reacts as teammate California Baptist Lancers guard Sydney Palma #14, not in photo, was called for a technical foul on San Diego Toreros in the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers forward Britney Thomas #32 and head coach Jarrod Olson during a time out during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press Company/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 steals the ball from San Diego Toreros guard Erica Martinsen #20 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press Enterprise/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Ane Olaeta #3 passes the ball outside while San Diego Toreros guard Ayanna Khalfani #5 defends during the first half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 attempts to break the boxout of San Diego Bullfighters guard Ayanna Khalfani #5 and San Diego Bullfighters guard Sydney Hunter #32 on a free throw during the second half of the opening round at the WNIT CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Ane Olaeta #3 drives past San Diego bullfighters guard Ayanna Khalfani #5 during the second half of the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022 Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
California Baptist Lancers guard Trinity San Antonio #23 walks off the field as the San Diego Toreros players celebrate their victory in the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press Company/SCNG)
The San Diego Toreros players celebrate their victory over the California Baptist Lancers in the opening round of the WNIT on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at the CBU Events Center in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, /SCNG)
The California Baptist Lancers guard Brittany Klaman #24 and the rest of the team leaves after San Diego Toreros defeated her in the opening round of the WNIT at the CBU Events Center in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Photo by Terry Pierson , /SCNG)
The senior guard upped the tempo and had 12 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Cal Baptist (23-9 overall), who made an outrebound (45-33) and posted a season-high 22 turnovers.
“Obviously we didn’t want to flip the ball that much, that was something we struggled with,” said CBU coach Jarrod Olson. “We had a hard time passing and catching at times and making easy plays.”
Caitlyn Harper posted a team-high with 19 points and nine rebounds for the Lancers, who were making their third appearance in the Women’s NIT in four years.
“I’m pretty confident about the work that we’ve done over the past four years,” Olson said. “Not many schools have made the transition (to Division I) better.”
Steph Gorman had 22 points and nine steals for San Diego (17-14), who were recovering from their West Coast Conference Tournament loss, a game-high 22 points.
“It was great to show the country that we have more to give,” Gorman said.
“CBU is a well-trained team that can stick it in the paint and then kick it and pay you for it,” added San Diego coach Cindy Fisher. “I thought we did a good job taking care of our second chance opportunities.”
The toreros play their second round in New Mexico this weekend.
“The Pit can be difficult to play, but we’ll be prepared,” Fisher said.
Olaeta’s court against Harper made it a two-point game late in the first quarter, and the Lancers’ point guard kept the deficit at two after two halftime free throws.
Two technical fouls helped San Diego extend their lead in the second half, and despite Olaeta’s best efforts, the Lancers couldn’t bring the lead closer than six points down the stretch.
“We’ve struggled with composure for the past few weeks so obviously I’m disappointed that we’re still having this issue,” Olson said.
Trinity San Antonio, who played at Centennial High, had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists for Cal Baptist. Her teammate Britney Thomas (San Jacinto High) had six points and five rebounds in her college finals.
