HOUSTON – The Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team's search for its first regular season win over an NCAA Division I opponent was put on hold for at least two more days as the Roadrunners started ice cold and couldn't recover in a 78–66 loss to the University of Houston Wednesday night at Hofheinz Pavilion.
CSUB (3-2 overall) shot just 30 percent from the field (10-of-33) in the first half as the Cougars built an 11-point lead through the opening 20 minutes. Houston (1-6) increased its advantage to as many as 22 points in the second half before a late 'Runner rally made the final a bit more respectable.
“We took a couple of hurried shots, but for the most part, we took good shots and just didn't knock them down,” said CSUB Head Coach Tim La Kose.
“We still have to learn to play at this level. Division I opponents play a little harder and a little more physical and it's going to be difficult on us until we learn to match that.”
The 'Runners received a balanced offensive effort with five players scoring in double figures. Senior forward Rhondi Naff (Costa Mesa/Orange Coast College) led the way with 13 points off the bench. Sophomore guards Kelley Tarver (Valencia HS) and Krista Arase (Alhambra/Keppel HS) each chipped in 12 points while junior forward Naomi Johnson (Oxnard College) just missed her first career double–double, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Johnson's efforts aside, rebounding proved to be a crucial factor in Wednesday's outcome. CSUB missed 42 shots but managed just eight offensive rebounds. Houston, meanwhile cleared 24 offensive boards while building a total rebounding advantage of 60–40.
Center Ryan Myers led the Cougars with a prolific 22–point, 16–rebound performanceSenior guard Tye Jackson added 14 points. Sha'Ratta Hawkins was the only other Cougar in double figures with 11.
The Roadrunner will take Thursday off while to travel across Texas. They will face UT–San Antonio Friday evening in San Antonio.
CS BAKERSFIELD (3–2): Siaosi 0-1 0-0 0; Jessi Loring 2-11 6-6 8; Kelley Tarver 4-11 3-4 12; Krista Arase 4-12 3-3 12; Katherine Smith 0-2 0-0 0; Christine Kepenekian 1-4 0-0 2; Rhondi Naff 6-11 1-2 13; Naomi Johnson 5-7 1-2 11; Rhonda Johnson 3-8 0-0 6. TOTALS: 25-67 14-17 66.
HOUSTON (1–6): Sunshine Misa–Uli 1-1 0-0 2; Ryan Myers 9-13 4-5 22; Maya Onikute 3-6 3-4 9; Sha'Ratta Hawkins 4-19 2-4 11; Tye Jackson 4-12 5-6 14; Alona Obaze 0-6 0-0 0; Ashlee Joseph 1-5 0-2 2; Ryan Bradley 4-11 0-1 9; Whitney James 3-7 3-5 9. TOTALS: 29-80 17-27 78.
HALFTIME: UH 35-24. 3-PT. FG: CSUB 2-13 (Tarver 1-4, Arase 1-5, Smith 0-1, Naff 0-1, Kepenekian 0-2); UH 3-15 (Hawkins 1-3, Jackson 1-4, Bradley 1-4, Onikute 0-1, James 0-1, Obaze 0-2). REBOUNDS: CSUB 40 (N. Johnson, R. Johnson 9); UH 60 (Myers 16). ASSISTS: CSUB 12 (Tarver, Arase 4); UH 17 (Onikute, Hawkins 4). TURNOVERS: CSUB 20, UH 18. BLOCKS: CSUB 5 (Loring 2); UH 3 (Jospeh, Bradley). STEALS: CSUB 11 (Arase 4); UH 14 (3 with 3). TECHNICALS: None. FOULED OUT: Misa-Uli. OFFICIALS: Mattingly, Dixon, Henderson. ATTN: 444.
