BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? The CSUB women's basketball team kicked off its first NCAA Division I campaign the way it finished its Division II run ? with a win. Bakersfield won its 16th consecutive game with its most impressive result of the streak, defeating West Coast Conference preseason favorite the University of San Diego 76?66 at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield.
The game was much closer than the final score indicated. The game featured 10 ties and six lead changes with neither team able to take control until Bakersfield made a late run to seal the win.
Junior guard Christine Kepenekian (Burbank HS) came off the bench to score a game and career?high 24 points to lead the Roadrunners (1?0 overall). Junior guard Krista Arase (Alhambra/Keppel HS) added 19 of her 22 points in the second half, including a dagger?like, NBA?range three pointer that ignited the game?clinching run for CSUB.
The game?changing player for CSUB in crunch time was junior guard Kelley Tarver (Valencia HS), who scored seven of her 16 points in the final 2:37 to deny a possible Torero comeback.
Sophomore forward Morgan Henderson (Leakwood, KS) nailed four three?pointers as part of her team?high 22 points for the Toreros (0?1). Henderson scored six consecutive points to twice pull USD two within two late. She had an chance to get San Diego to within one in the final two minutes, but missed a good look at a three?pointer.
The story for USD, however, was junior center Amber Sprague (San Diego, CA) who got in early foul trouble and played just 12 minutes before fouling out with four points and five rebounds.
With Sprague on the bench, the Roadrunners were able to compete on the boards, allowing them to stay close despite opening the game 4-of-17 from the field. The 'Runners shot just 31 percent (9-of-29) in the first half before catching fire late. They shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.
San Diego also caught fire in the second half. Despite six second?half fouls by CSUB, however, the Toreros did not visit the free throw line in the second half. In fact, both teams were strangers to the line until the 'Runners made 12-of-14 free throws in the final 2:37 with San Diego in foul mode while trying to come from behind.
CSUB returns to action Tuesday when it hosts the University of San Diego in the Icardo Center at 7 p.m.
CSU Bakersfield 76, University of San Diego 66
USD (0?1) -- Morgan HENDERSON 8?19 2?2 22; Kiva HERMAN 9?15 0?2 18; Amanda REGO 4?8 4?4 13; Amber SPRAGUE 2?5 0?1 4; Erica CARLSON 1?2 2?2 4; Kaila MANGRUM 1?2 1?4 3; Sam CHILD 1?5 0?0 2; Emily HATCH 0?0 0?0 0; Alcha STRANE 0?2 0?0 0; Brianna ESTELL 0?2 0?0 0. Totals 26?60 9?15 66.
CSUB (1?0) -- Christine KEPENEKIAN 5?7 10?10 24; Krista ARASE 5?12 8?10 22; Kelley TARVER 4?11 7?8 16; Naomi JOHNSON 4?6 1?2 9; Tiffany BELT 1?8 0?0 2; Nikki LEON 1?1 0?0 2; Nikhol WEST 0?5 1?4 1; Shawnee CARTER 0?1 0?0 0. Totals 20?51 27?34 76.
3?point goals??USD 5?21 (Morgan HENDERSON 4?14; Amanda REGO 1?2; Sam CHILD 0?2; Alcha STRANE 0?1; Brianna ESTELL 0?2), CSUB 9?20 (Krista ARASE 4?8; Christine KEPENEKIAN 4?5; Kelley TARVER 1?4; Tiffany BELT 0?3). Fouled Out??USD?Amber SPRAGUE; Kiva HERMAN, CSUB?None. Rebounds??USD 37 (Morgan HENDERSON 11), CSUB 34 (Nikhol WEST 8). Assists??USD 20 (Amanda REGO 8), CSUB 14 (Krista ARASE 7). Total fouls??USD 24, CSUB 18. Technical fouls??USD?None, CSUB?None. A?545
