Cal Baptist Claims 2023 WBI Title

3/19/23

Cal Baptist University defeated New Mexico State University 63-61 to win the 13th Women’s Basketball Invitational. The Lancers led the entire game but had to hold off a furious late rally from the Aggies. NMSU had two game-tying shot attempts in the air in the final 10 seconds of the game only to see both bounce off the iron.

The two Western Athletic Conference schools advanced to the championship game by winning quarterfinal games on Friday and semifinal contests on Saturday. CBU beat North Dakota 96-79 on Friday before knocking off Georgia Southern in at 82-80 overtime thriller on Saturday. NMSU posted a 51-41 first round win over UIC and a 57-53 victory over E. Tennessee State in the semis.

Grace Schmidt led Cal Baptist in scoring in the title game with 16 points, en route to earning Tournament Most Valuable Player. The freshman averaged 18.3 points per game in becoming the first freshman in the 13 year history of the WBI to be named MVP.  New Mexico State was led in scoring by Molly Kaiser with 19 points.

For more information on the Women’s Basketball Invitational check out www.womensbasketballinvitational.com.

3/19/23