CHICO, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield Head Coach Tim La Kose said his team would have to play better than it did in Friday night's win at Cal State Stanislaus if the Roadrunners were to have any chance at Chico State. They played better, but not by much, and dropped a disappointing 70-62 decision to the Wildcats at Acker Gym in Chico.
Freshman forward Florida Siaosi continued her strong run of recent play, coming off the bench to lead CSUB (7-5, 4-1 CCAA) with 13 points and eight rebounds. Krista Arase added 11 points and Jessi Loring added 10 for the Roadrunners.
Preseason All–American Amber Simmons led all scorers with 19 points for Chico State (9-1, 5-1), which is ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division II play. Junior center Renee Goldoff added a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Although the game featured a seven lead changes and wasn't decided until the final minute, both teams played at level two notches below what would normally be expected from a pair of squads that split the last for CCAA championships. Each team turned the ball over 27 times, with 31 total unforced turnovers.
“We played better defensively, but we still are not doing a good job taking care of the ball,” said CSUB Head Coach Tim la Kose. “Florida is giving us a boost in the post, but we have to get better production from the (small forward) position.”
CSUB took a 30-24 lead at the half, but the Wildcats caught fire to open the second frame. Chico exploded out of the gate on an 11-0 run to take a 36-30 lead.
The Roadrunners righted the ship, twice retaking the lead in the second half. But trailing 64-60, Siaosi missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity and Chico made its free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.
CSUB returns home for the first time since Nov. 17 when it hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday at Rabobank Arena. It will be the annual Pack the Stands night, with free tickets available courtesy of the Kern County Independent Grocers.
CS BAKERSFIELD (7–5, 4–1 CCAA): Kelley Tarver 1-12 4-4 6; Krista Arase 4-7 2-3 11; Katherine Smith 0-1 0-0 0; Rhonda Johnson 3-5 0-0 6; Jessi Loring 4-9 2-3 10; Christine Kepenekian 1-4 0-0 3; Rhondi Naff 3-8 1-2 9; Naomi Johnson 2-6 0-0 6; Kelly Blair 0-0 0-0 0; Florida Siaosi 5-9 3-6 13. TOTALS: 23-61 12-18 62.
CHICO STATE (9–1, 5–1 CCAA): Jade Smith-Williams 2-7 2-2 6; Niki Simons 5-11 4-4 14; Audriana Spencer 3-5 2-2 10; Amber Simmons 8-21 2-5 19; Renee Goldoff 5-10 2-3 12; Teresa Karcher 1-1 0-0 3; Amanda Monteith 0-1 0-0 0; Cory Edwards 0-0 0-0 0; Christine Vest 3-5 0-0 6. TOTALS: 27-61 12-16 70.
HALFTIME: CSUB 30-24. 3-PT. FG: CSUB 4-12 (Naff 2-6, Kepenekian 1-1, Arase 1-2, Tarver 0-3); CS 4-6 (Spencer 2-3, Simmons 1-1, , Karcher 1-1, Simons 0-1). REBOUNDS: CSUB 37 (Loring 9); CS 41 (Goldoff 13). ASSISTS: CSUB 10 (Arase 5); CS 13 (Smith-Williams 4). TURNOVERS: CSUB 27, CS 27. BLOCKS: CSUB 2 (Loring, Kepenekian); CS 5 (5 with 1). STEALS: CSUB 10 (Arase 4); CS 13 (Smith-Williams, Simmons 4). TECHNICALS: None. FOULED OUT: R. Johnson. OFFICIALS: Dailey, Rose, Fujii. ATTN: 892.
