SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team got defensive Saturday night, beating the CCAA's top ranked defensive squad at its own game in a 59-51 victory over Cal State San Bernardino at Coussoulis Arena.
Sophomore guard Kelley Tarver (Valencia HS) broke out of her midseason slump, matching her season-high with 19 points to lead the Roadrunners to their third consecutive win. The win also pulled Bakersfield (12-6, 9-2 CCAA) into a virtual tie for first place in the CCAA race thanks to Chico State's 90-82 loss at Humboldt State Saturday night.
San Bernardino slipped to 11-5 and 7-4 with the loss.
As they have done frequently in recent games, the Roadrunners jumped out to an early lead. But with San Bernardino playing generally solid defense and running the shot clock down on virtually every offensive possession, Bakersfield couldn't put the game away until late.
Bakersfield led by as many as 10 several times in the first half and led the entire game until a Krystal Urzua three-pointer put San Bernardino on top at 39-38 five minutes into the second half. A Tarver layup on the ensuing possession restored Bakersfield's lead and the Roadrunners never trailed again.
In addition to Tarver, freshman forward Florida Siaosi (Hesperia/Sultana HS) enjoyed a solid night with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double and her third in the past four games.
Vanessa Wilt led all scorers with 24 points. She was the only Coyote to reach double figures.
The Roadrunners return home to open a five-game homestand Thursday against Cal State Monterey Bay.
CS BAKERSFIELD (12–6, 9–2 CCAA): Kelley Tarver 7-13 4-4 19; Krista Arase 1-5 0-0 3; Rhondi Naff 0-3 2-2 2; Jessi Loring 1-11 0-0 2; Florida Siaosi 3-8 4-9 10; Katherine Smith 2-2 4-4 8; Naomi Johnson 1-4 0-0 2; Christine Kepenekian 1-3 0-0 3; Rhonda Johnson 5-10 0-0 10. TOTALS: 21-59 14-19 59.
CS SAN BERNARDINO (11–5,7–4 CCAA): Erica Doyle 0-4 0-2 4; Jaclyn Rainville 3-8 0-0 6; Denise Snyder 3-6 1-2 8; Ashlee Ford 1-2 0-0 2; Vanessa Wilt 11-17 2-7 24; Rachel Johnson 1-3 0-0 2; Staci Harris 1-2 0-0 2; Krystal Urzua 1-4 1-2 4; Mariqueta Starling 1-2 1-2 3. TOTALS: 22-48 5-15 51.
HALFTIME: CSUB 31-25. 3-PT. FG: CSUB 3-9 (Kepenekian 1-1, Tarver 1-2, Arase 1-3, N. Johnson 0-1, Naff 0-2); SB 2-10 (Snyder 1-1, Urzua 1-4, H 8 (Wilt 4). STEALS: CSUB 13 (Arase 5); SB 5 (Urzua 3). TECHNICALS: CSUB (La Kose). FOULED OUT: None. OFFICIALS: Rodman, Osborne, Pinafor. ATTN: 397.
