PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT FRIDAY: Friday's doubleheader vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills will be the annual Pack The House Night, sponsored by the Kern County Independent Grocers. Pick up vouchers for your FREE tickets at Kern County Independent Grocer locations or print them online at www.gorunners.com.
THE WEEK AHEAD: The Roadrunners finally return home this week to host a pair of CCAA foes at Rabobank Arena. The action begins Friday (Jan. 12) against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Saturday (Jan. 13) will welcome a visit from UC San Diego.
Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. as the openers of men's/women's doubleheader action.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The 'Runners enter the week tied with UC San Diego for second place in the CCAA, just one–half game behind Chico State in the standings. Cal State Dominguez Hills will enter Friday's meeting just one game behind the 'Runners and Tritons.
TICKET INFO: Season tickets for Roadrunner basketball are on sale now. Advance single game tickets also are on sale now. For more information, call (661) 654–BLUE or visit us online at www.gorunners.com.
ON DECK: The Roadrunners will continue their four–game homestand next week with games vs. Sonoma State (Jan. 18) and Humboldt State (Jan. 20).
TORO NOTES: The Toros saw a brief 3–game winning streak snapped Sat-urday at Humboldt State …beat CCAA leader Chico State 73–54 on Dec. 2…the Toros feature a balanced offense led by Jr. G Jessica Liang (11.3 ppg) and Jr. G Brigayle Iglehart (11.1 ppg)…the always tough Toro defense is holding opponents to just 38 percent shooting.
SERIES HISTORY vs. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS
CSUB leads 9–3…CSUB leads the series in Bakersfield 5–1…The 'Runners came back…from an 18–point second–half deficit only to fall in 2 OT in the last meeting…The last game at Rabo- bank Arena was CSDH's 1st win in Bakersfield…Kelley Tarver had a career–high 26 in that game.
LAST 10 MEETINGS
2006 CSDH 98, @'RUNNERS 93++
2006 'RUNNERS 78, @CSDH 74
2005 @CSDH 88, 'RUNNERS 82
2005 @'RUNNERS 67, CSDH 55
2004 @'RUNNERS 76, CSDH 44
2004 'RUNNERS 82, @CSDH 69
2003 'RUNNERS 85, @CSDH 48
2003 @'RUNNERS 61, CSDH 40
2002 @CSDH 67, 'RUNNERS 61
2002 @'RUNNERS 77, CSDH 62
++Double Overtime
TRITON NOTES: The Tritons are off to another solid start under 2nd–year coach Janell Jones… UCSD has won 5 in a row and 7 of its last 8 entering the week …Sr. G Leora Juster, the 2006 CCAA Player of the Year, is averaging an NCAA–leading 25.6 ppg…Sr. F Hillary Hansen is the only other Triton in double figures at 15.9 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY vs. UC SAN DIEGO: CSUB leads 9–3…CSUB leads the series in Rabobank Arena, 4–2…The teams split last season, with each winning on the road…UCSD came from behind late to win in OT, 101–91, at Rabobank Arena…UCSD became the 1st school ever to take an OT victory from CSUB.
LAST 10 MEETINGS
2006 'RUNNERS 80, @UCSD 72
2006 UCSD 101, @RUNNERS 91 (ot)
2005 @'RUNNERS 71, UCSD 60
2005 @UCSD 73, 'RUNNERS 59
2004 'RUNNERS 68, @UCSD 54
2004 @'RUNNERS 79, UCSD 61
2003 @'RUNNERS 85, UCSD 57
2003 'RUNNERS 73, @UCSD 51
2002 @'RUNNERS 77, UCSD 59
2002 'RUNNERS 96, @UCSD 95 (ot)
WHAT ARE THE ROADRUNNERS? With the Roadrunners beginning their four–year transition to full NCAA Division I status this season, a common question that comes up is, “what division are the 'Runners?”
For this season (and the next three) CSUB is considered an NCAA Division I institution. Because the 'Runners are not playing a full Division I schedule in 2006–07, however, they are not an RPI counter against Division I opponents this season. They already count as an NCAA Division I opponent when playing DII, DIII and NAIA members.
The 'Runners are scheduled to become NCAA Division I championship eligible beginning in the 2010–11 season.
ABOUT LAST WEEK: The 'Runners returned to CCAA action last week, splitting a pair of games up the 99 Freeway. Things got off on the right foot as Bakersfield led wire-to-wire in an 85–70 victory at Cal State Stanislaus. Senior center Jessi Loring (Saugus/College of the Canyons) posted her fourth 20+ point game of the season with an even 20 to lead all scorers.
Saturday, the 'Runners couldn't hold on to a 30–24 halftime lead and fell at No. 9 (NCAA Div. II) Chico State 70–62.
END OF THE ROAD: The 'Runners return from the road to play their first games at Rabobank Arena this weekend. Bakersfield went 6–5 on its record 11–game road trip, which began at UNLV on Nov. 20 and concluded at Chico State Jan. 6.
HOME SWEET HOME: Although it was the largest NCAA Division II arena in the West Region (and now is one of the largest in Division I), Rabobank Arena has proved to be a cozy little venue for the 'Runners. Bakersfield has posted a 48–9 record all–time (.842) in the building.
PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT LOOKING TO SET RECORD: With Friday's game versus Cal State Dominguez Hills set for Pack The House Night, the 'Runners will be looking to shatter the attendance record. Bakersfield's record crowd for a home women's basketball game was the 1,571 fans who saw the 'Runners beat Grand Canyon 81–61 on Jan. 23, 2005.
BIG CROWDS COMMON IN BAKERSFIELD: In their six previous seasons, the Roadrunners have grown accustomed to playing in front of large crowds. Bakersfield has played host to 15 crowds of more than 1,000 since the 2001–02 season, more than any other team in the CCAA.
HOME SWEET HOME OPENERS: The 'Runners have enjoyed hosting CCAA home openers during their brief history, posting a 5–1 record entering Friday's game versus Cal State Dominguez Hills. One caveat, however, is that the only loss was last season's 101–91 overtime defeat to UC San Diego.
THE CCAA FAREWELL TOUR: With their NCAA Division I schedule complete for 2006–07, the 'Runner focus returns to the CCAA as they complete their final tour of the conference. Although ineligible to win the CCAA title as an NCAA Division I program, the 'Runners will try to finish atop the standings for the third time in their seven–year history of CCAA play.
FREE THROW SHOOTING ON A RECORD PACE: The Roadrunners are making the most of their opportunities from the charity stripe this season, making free throws at a record–setting pace in 2006–07. They enter the week converting 74.9 percent (194-of-259) from the line. Should they maintain that pace, they will break the record of the 2001–02 team that made 74.6 percent of its free throw attempts.
FLORIDA SPREADS A LITTLE SUNSHINE: While the 'Runners have received balanced support throughout the season, one player who is quickly making a name for herself is freshman forward Florida Siaosi (Hesperia/Sultana HS). Siaosi has led the team in either scoring or rebounding in four of the last seven games. She posted her first career double–double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in last Friday's win at Cal State Stanislaus.
FIRE AND ICE: The 'Runners have been either red hot or ice cold when it comes to shooting the three ball this season. In one four–game stretch, the 'Runners hit a sizzling 26-of-52 (.500) from beyond the arc. In their other eight games, however, they are just 26-of-113 (.230).
ROADRUNNER BASKETBALL: A Championship Tradition
The 2006–07 season marks the seventh anniversary of Roadrunner women's basketball. The 'Runners have won an incredible 147 games against just 38 losses (.795).
More than just winning games, 'Runner basketball is about winning championships. Bakersfield has two CCAA titles and one NCAA West Region title. The 'Runners are the only team in NCAA history—men's or women's at any level—to reach the NCAA Tourney every season of their existence.
