The California Baptist Lancers are heading to March Madness for the first time in program history, securing their spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field with a thrilling victory over Utah Valley in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship on Saturday night. The win marks a significant milestone for the private university in Riverside, California, which is competing at the Division I level for just the eighth season.
The Lancers’ journey to the tournament wasn’t without drama. The teams had already met three times this season due to the WAC’s small size, setting the stage for a highly anticipated championship showdown. Trailing by seven points with under three minutes remaining, California Baptist rallied behind a remarkable performance from senior point guard Dominique Daniels Jr., who single-handedly shifted the momentum with three consecutive three-pointers. This dramatic turn of events propelled the Lancers to a 72-70 victory.
Daniels’ clutch shooting, including a step-back three-pointer to tie the game and another to take a two-point lead with just 17 seconds left, proved to be the difference. A potential game-tying alley-oop attempt by Utah Valley rimmed out as time expired, sealing the Lancers’ fate and sending them to the NCAA Tournament.
dominique daniels jr.; cal baptist vs utah valley pic.twitter.com/tR7AMQwts1
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) March 15, 2026
Dominique Daniels Jr. Has been a standout performer for California Baptist throughout the season, establishing himself as a top mid-major player and one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball. He leads all mid-major players in scoring with an average of 23 points per game, according to Busting Brackets.
The Lancers’ victory comes as Selection Sunday arrives, with the official NCAA Tournament bracket set to be revealed on March 16, 2026. Thirty-one teams have already secured automatic bids through conference tournament wins, while 37 at-large teams will be selected by the NCAA Selection Committee. The First Four games are scheduled for March 17-18, with the first round tipping off on March 19-20. The tournament will continue with the second round on March 21-22, followed by the Sweet 16 on March 26-27 and the Elite Eight from March 28-30. The Final Four is slated for April 4, 2026, as reported by The Game Haus.
WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY 🕺
#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/zgWflPhJjY— California Baptist Men’s Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 15, 2026
As teams prepare to build their March Madness brackets, the focus now shifts to the bracket reveal on CBS, where the field of 68 will be officially unveiled. Teams like Duke, Michigan, and Arizona are considered strong contenders for No. 1 seeds, while others, such as VCU, Missouri, and Recent Mexico, find themselves on the bubble, according to Sporting News. The NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictable nature, promising a month of thrilling upsets and memorable moments.
The California Baptist Lancers’ inclusion in the tournament represents a historic achievement for the university and its basketball program. Their performance in March Madness will be closely watched as they embark on their first-ever journey in the big dance.
The unveiling of the full bracket will set the stage for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, offering fans the opportunity to predict outcomes and witness the excitement of college basketball’s postseason. The tournament is scheduled to commence with the First Four games on March 17th and 18th, as detailed by MSN.
What comes next is the official bracket reveal and the start of the tournament itself, promising a month of captivating basketball action. Share your bracket predictions and thoughts on California Baptist’s chances in the comments below.
