BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Senior forward Katie Williams (Las Vegas/Reedley College) bid farewell to 2009 in dazzling fashion, scoring a career–high 35 points to lead the CSUB women's basketball team to an 86–64 win over giant–killer San Jose State Tuesday night at the Icardo Center.
San Jose State, which upset then No. 22 Cal, 68–66, on Dec. 9, had no answer for Williams, who added 12 rebounds—one off her career high—for her first points/rebounds double–double of the season. She chipped in four steals and a pair of assists for good measure.
Williams had plenty of help as three other Roadrunners scored in double figures. Senior guard Phynique Allen (San Diego/Eastern Washington) scored 15 points to go along with game highs of seven assists and five steals. Senior guard Kelley Tarver (Valencia HS) added 14 points and six rebounds while senior center Tamiko Davis (Sacramento) grabbed nine rebounds against the school from which she transferred in 2008.
Samantha Marez came off the bench to lead San Jose State with 20 points.
While the final score indicated a rout, the game was very much in doubt well into the second half. The Spartans trailed by just three at the half, 39–36, and came back to take a 43–42 lead on a Shauna Ridge jumper two minutes into the second half.
Williams quickly reestablished control for CSUB, nailing a three–pointer on CSUB's next possession. She then grabbed a defensive rebound, drove the length of the court and made a layup to restore a two–possession advantage for the 'Runners. San Jose never got within a possession of the lead again.
CSUB plays its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference opponent Saturday when they play at defending WAC champion Fresno State in a 5 p.m. tip.
