Women's Basketball February 21, 2009 CSU Bakersfield Athletic Communications

Redhawks Down 'Runners in Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. ? Senior Morgan Saso's (Bakersfield/Univ. of New Mexico) season high 18 points was not enough Saturday evening at the Connolly Center in Seattle, Wash., as the CSUB women's basketball team fell to the Seattle University Redhawks, 78-69. The loss drops the Roadrunners' record to 16-10 while Seattle improves to 18-7 as it wins its 11th-conseutive contest. After finding themselves down by 12 in the second half, the ?Runners rallied to pull within two with just under a minute remaining. But Seattle would score the game's final seven points to secure the win.

Despite a strong showing from the Roadrunner defense, CSUB dropped its fifth road contest of the season. The ?Runners forced a season-high 32 turnovers by recording a season-best 19 steals with senior Krista Arase (Monterey Park/Keppel HS) leading the charge with a game-best seven. CSUB shot 38.3 percent (26-of-67) while Seattle was 41.7 percent (25-for-60) from the field. The Redhawks held 52-33 rebound advantage and had four players in double figures.

Saso was one of three Roadrunners in double figures on Saturday. Junior Katie Williams (Las Vegas/Reedley College) scored 11 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak to 14 games. Senior Christine Kepenekian (Burbank HS) added 16 points. Arase finished with a game-best seven assists.

In the first half, the ?Runners jumped out quickly, building an eight point lead, 13-5, less than eight minutes into the game. Seattle would work the lead back down to one before CSUB built it back up to eight, 29-21, with 4:30 remaining on a Kepenekian three pointer. But the Redhawks remained close and a three pointer by Elle Kerfoot as time expired sent the teams into the locker room tied at 35-35 at the break.

In the second, Seattle would score the game's first seven points before the ?Runners answered by scoring the next seven to tie the game back at 44-44. Seattle would build a 12 point lead over the next eight minutes. Down by eight with 2:53 remaining, CSUB scored six unanswered to pull within two as the clock ticked under a minute to play as Kepenekian hit two free throws to make the score 71-69. But a Seattle layup followed by five-consecutive free throws sealed the deal for the Redhawks.

CSUB will head to UC Davis on Wednesday, Feb. 25 for a 7 p.m. contest against the Aggies.

CSU BAKERSFIELD (16-10)
Saso 9-11 0-0 18; Kepenekian 4-9 6-8 16; Williams 5-15 0-0 11; Allen 3-11 1-3 9; Belt 3-6 1-2 8; Arase 2-11 0-1 6; Leon 0-3 1-2 1; West 0-1 0-2 0. Totals
26-67 9-18 69.

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY (18-7)
Morrison 8-16 1-1 19; Salley 5-13 7-7 18; Alexander 5-14 6-9 17; Kerfoot 3-5 2-4 11; Murillo 2-4 4-4 9; Christianson 1-3 0-0 2; Messersmith 1-1 0-0 2; Heck 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 25-60 20-25 78.

CSU Bakersfield............... 35 34 - 69
Seattle University............ 35 43 - 78

3-point goals--CSU Bakersfield 8-20 (Kepenekian 2-4; Allen 2-3; Arase 2-8; Williams 1-4; Belt 1-1), Seattle University 8-18 (Kerfoot 3-4; Morrison 2-6; Murillo 1-3; Salley 1-3; Alexander 1-2). Technical fouls--CSU Bakersfield-TEAM, Seattle University-None. A-262
Technical Foul Called on CSUB Head Coach Tim La Kose w/3:47 left in 1st half.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Krista Arase: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#23 Christine Kepenekian: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#22 Katie Williams: G; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#25 Krista Arase
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#23 Christine Kepenekian
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#22 Katie Williams
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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Redhawks Down 'Runners in Seattle

Players Mentioned

#25 Krista Arase

#23 Christine Kepenekian

#22 Katie Williams

Players Mentioned

#25 Krista Arase

#23 Christine Kepenekian

#22 Katie Williams