DAVIS, Calif. - Joseph Griffin had six goals and Hunter Barnett scored three times and had three assists for California Baptist which pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 15-10 victory over Santa Clara men's water polo in the opening round of the Western Water Polo Association Championship.
Zach Fales also had six goals, a career high, and Caedmon Fisher added two for the sixth-seeded Broncos (12-16) in Friday's matchup that was tied six times with four lead changes.
Griffin's goal 1:30 left in the third quarter snapped a 9-all tie, the final one of the game.
Fales' final goal pulled the Broncos within 11-10 with 6:33 remaining in the fourth period.
Cameron Cullen scored just more than 2 minutes later for No. 3 seed California Baptist (19-13) and PJ McDonough and Griffin followed with two more insurance goals.
Tristan Felberg had five saves in the win for the Lancers who will face No. 2 seed.
Santa Clara had eight chances with the extra attacker but only converted one.
California Baptist was 2-for-4 and connected on the lone 5-meter attempt in the game.
Neither team led by more than two goals until McDonough's strike with 2:54 left made it a 13-10 cushion.
Jake Taylor had one goal and three assists for the Broncos who will play No. 5 seed Air Force in one of Saturday's consolation games.
NOTES
- Ford Eldredge, Jake Taylor, Blake D'Souza, Chase Raisin, Dominick Kirk and Cody Ferguson started along with Sean Tehaney in goal. Tehaney was credited with nine saves.
NEXT UP
The Broncos will play No. 5 seed Air Force in one of Saturday's WWPA Championship consolation games. Start time is 12:30 p.m.
NEXT UP
- Saturday, Nov. 20 vs. No. 5 seed Air Force • 12:30 p.m.
- WWPA Championship (Davis, Calif.)
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