Standing at 5-foot-10, Dominique Daniels does not fit the typical profile of a dominant Division I scorer.
A Scoring Star Who Defies First Impressions
Yet through the first six games of the season, he has been exactly that for the unbeaten Cal Baptist Lancers. The program is off to a 6-0 start for the first time since joining Division I, and Daniels remains one of the central reasons for their rise.
Cal Baptist heads into Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Oregon on Saturday, fresh off a 76-61 win over San Diego. The next stretch, however, presents their toughest test of the non-conference season.
A Brutal Road Trip Ahead
Before Western Athletic Conference play begins, the Lancers face four straight games against power conference opponents. After visiting Oregon State on Saturday, they travel to Colorado, Brigham Young, and Utah, all within a week. The road swing continues with a December 12 matchup at Eastern Washington before finally returning to Riverside for a December 16 meeting with Southern University.
Cal Baptist was picked to win the WAC this season, with five first-place votes and the other going to Utah Valley. A major factor behind those expectations is Daniels.
The Veteran Guard With Record-Breaking Credentials
Daniels set the Cal Baptist Division I single-game scoring record last season with 39 points. He also tied for the third-highest scoring game in the country this season and matched the program mark for made free throws. Last year, he started all 29 games he played, leading the team in made field goals and free throws. His production earned him three WAC Player of the Week honors and a spot on the All-WAC First Team.
This season he is scoring 19 points per game, dishing out four assists and averaging three rebounds per game. He has scoed 20+ in three games this season, including 25 on November 18th against Riverside.
His journey started at Trinity International High School, where he was a three-year captain, then continued at San Bernardino Valley College. There, he averaged 23.8 points per game across two seasons and once scored 47 points against Desert College. Daniels has led Cal Baptist in scoring in both of his seasons with the program, despite playing only 21 games in his first year due to injury.
What Comes Next for the Lancers
Daniels did not play in the win over San Diego but is expected to return as the Lancers begin their five-game road trip. If Cal Baptist can survive or even thrive during this challenging stretch, head coach Rick Croy will bring a wave of momentum home to the Fowler Events Center.
The Lancers already hold the best Division I record in school history at 21-10. Now they are aiming for something bigger: their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Navy and Gold hope Daniels can stay healthy and continue leading the charge as the program chases a milestone season.