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Women's Basketball CSU Bakersfield Athletic Communications

Bruins Too Much for ?Runners, CSUB Falls 104?57


LOS ANGELES - The UCLA women's basketball team jumped out to an early 5?0 lead and never looked back as it defeated the Roadrunners, 104?57, Wednesday evening in Pauley Pavilion. The matchup marked the first time CSUB had faced Pac?10 member school. The ?Runners fall back to 3?3 overall while the Bruins improve to 4?1.

Every member of the Bruins scored during the contest as the team shot 46.5 percent from the floor. UCLA outrebounded the ?Runners, 54?25, and forced a season?high 31 CSUB turnovers which led to 44 points. The Roadrunners shot 41.9 percent from the floor and were 4-of-10 from behind the arc. The ?Runners hit 70.8 percent of their free throws (17?24).

In order to counter the UCLA front court size that features four players over 6-foot-3, CSUB played zone for much of the contest. The zone, however, allowed the Bruins to collect 29 offensive rebounds as UCLA was seemingly able to collect every missed shot. Playing with a shortened bench as Phynique Allen and Tiffany Belt were both unable to play due to injury, the ?Runners knew they were in for a long battle against a team that likes to press and run the floor.

Senior Christine Kepenekian led all scorers with 17 points on 4-of-8 shooting including a 9-for-12 mark from the line. Junior Katie Williams had a season?best 14 points while senior Morgan Saso has 11. Kepenekian tied for the game high of eight rebounds with UCLA's Chinyere Ibekwe.

With UCLA up 20?5 in the first half, CSUB went on a quick 8?0 run of its own as Christine Kepenekian made a quick layup and stole the ball on the ensuing possession for another layup. Krista Arase drove and was fouled the next time down and hit the two free throws. The ?Runners forced another UCLA turnover the next time down and Kepenekian found Morgan Saso underneath for another quick two points.

Freshman Jana Smith picked up three quick fouls in three minutes and shortened an already depleted Roadrunner bench as Phynique Allen and Tiffany Belt both sat out due to injury.

UCLA built a 41?21 lead late in the half as 6 foot 4 inch Christina Nzekwe pulled up for a jumper to the left side of the lane. An alert Arase shifted over and stuffed the shot of the sophomore forward. UCLA would turn the ball over after collecting the offensive rebound as the teams broke for the under four?minute media timeout.

The ?Runners trailed 51?29 at the half after UCLA closed the half on a 6?0 run. CSUB shot 47.6 percent from the field in the first frame to the Bruins' 45.2 but UCLA doubled up the Roadrunner shot attempts, 42?21. UCLA also held a 26?12 edge in rebounds at the break, 14 coming on the offensive end of the court. Katie Williams had eight points to lead the way for CSUB midway through. Kepenekian had four rebounds and seven points.

The second half opened with the ?Runners trying to keep pace with the Bruins. Arase and Kepenekian each hit tough driving layups as CSUB scored five points to UCLA's six before the first media timeout. Out of the break, Kepenekian found position deep in the lane and was rewarded with an easy bucket in the paint, bringing the score to 57?36.

UCLA would continue to add to its lead as the Bruins outscored the ?Runners, 24?7, over a six minute stretch to take a 38 point lead, 81?43.

The ?Runners return to the Icardo Center on Saturday as they host WCC member Santa Clara at 7 p.m.



CSU BAKERSFIELD (3-3)
Kepenekian 4-8 9-12 17; Williams 5-11 1-2 14; Saso 5-8 1-2 11; Arase 2-6 3-4 8; Leon 1-4 2-2 4; Tarver
1-3 1-2 3; Carter 0-0 0-0 0; West 0-2 0-0 0; Smith0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-43 17-24 57.

UCLA (5-1)
Nzekwe 6-9 1-1 13; Campbell 6-14 1-1 13; Gardner 4-6 1-2 12; Henderson 5-12 0-0 11; Ibekwe 3-7 3-4 9; Nyingifa 3-5 3-6 9; Tukiainen 3-8 1-1 8; Taka 2-7 2-2 8; Alexander 2-2 3-5 7; Earl 2-7 2-4 6; Morris 3-7 0-0 6; Brown 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 40-86 17-26 104.

CSU Bakersfield...............   29   28  -   57
UCLA..........................   51   53  -  104

3-point goals--CSU Bakersfield 4-10 (Williams 3-4; Arase 1-3; Leon 0-1; Tarver 0-1; Kepenekian 0-1), UCLA 7-17
(Gardner 3-4; Taka 2-6; Tukiainen 1-3; Henderson 1-1; Morris 0-1; Nyingifa 0-1; Campbell 0-1).
Technical fouls--CSU Bakersfield-None, UCLA-None. A-612

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Players Mentioned

Phynique Allen

#24 Phynique Allen

G
5' 7"
Junior
Krista Arase

#25 Krista Arase

G
5' 6"
Senior
Tiffany Belt

#12 Tiffany Belt

G
5' 8"
Junior
Christine Kepenekian

#23 Christine Kepenekian

G
5' 7"
Senior
Jana Smith

#5 Jana Smith

F
6' 1"
Freshman
Katie Williams

#22 Katie Williams

G
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Phynique Allen

#24 Phynique Allen

5' 7"
Junior
G
Krista Arase

#25 Krista Arase

5' 6"
Senior
G
Tiffany Belt

#12 Tiffany Belt

5' 8"
Junior
G
Christine Kepenekian

#23 Christine Kepenekian

5' 7"
Senior
G
Jana Smith

#5 Jana Smith

6' 1"
Freshman
F
Katie Williams

#22 Katie Williams

5' 9"
Junior
G
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