North Florida Edges California Baptist 71-63
Kyle Getter made his debut as California Baptist head coach in a season-opening loss.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
North Florida defeated California Baptist 71-63 on Tuesday in the season opener for both teams. The game marked the first coaching appearance for Kyle Getter as head coach of California Baptist.
Why it matters
The loss opens Getter's tenure with a new coaching staff and a roster that returns only three players from last season. North Florida's win shows its length and balanced scoring can pressure a young Riverside-based program early in the year.
North Florida held a 41-31 rebounding edge and a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint, with Jackson leading all scorers at 15 points. California Baptist's Jordan Müller and Terry Coner Jr. combined for 28 points, but the team shot poorly to start, making just three of 13 field goals in the opening four minutes.
The players
Kyle Getter
Getter, the former lead assistant at Notre Dame, coached his first game as California Baptist head coach in the season opener.
California Baptist University
The Riverside-based university's men's basketball program ended a 19-game home winning streak with the loss and enters its new season with a rebuilt coaching staff.
The details
North Florida used its length to dominate inside and generated balanced scoring, with five players reaching double figures. Mason Watkins added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Jonas Žilinskas contributed 8 points and five rebounds for California Baptist in the 71-63 loss at the Fowler Events Center.
Timeline
Tuesday (Nov. 3, 2026): North Florida beats California Baptist 71-63 in the season opener.
Friday: California Baptist plays at Oregon State in Corvallis.
Season Trajectory
The loss snaps a 19-game home winning streak built during last season's 15-0 home record, the kind of run that had made the Fowler Events Center a strength for California Baptist. Opening the year at home without that cushion raises the stakes for a team that lost only three returning players but installed an entirely new coaching staff.
For fantasy and bracket purposes, North Florida's five double-figure scorers suggest depth that may hold up across a season. California Baptist's early shooting struggles, with three of 13 field goals in the opening four minutes, are the kind of start that can shape its lineup decisions heading into Friday.
The takeaway
Early-season losses can expose a team's depth and rotation questions, and California Baptist's opener shows the value of quick adjustments against a physical opponent.
What happens next
California Baptist plays at Oregon State in Corvallis on Friday.
Further reading
Follow California Baptist's rebuilt roster in our Basketball coverage as the team heads to Corvallis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bulletin.
