BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Despite leading by 18 points midway through the second half, the CSUB women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 86–83 decision to UC Santa Barbara in overtime on Tuesday night.
It was all CSUB in the opening minutes as the Roadrunners used a 10–2 run to get out to an early lead over UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos fought back, however, and chipped away at the 'Runners lead, getting themselves to within one two different occasions. Junior guard Kristine Herman (San Ramon, Calif./Florida Gulf Coast) shot five of nine from the field in the first period, including three from behind the arc, to give CSUB a seven–point lead (42–35) at halftime.
The second half began the same way as the first as CSUB went on an 11–1 run to increase its lead to 18 through the opening minutes. The 'Runners appeared to be in cruise control until the Gauchos switched to a full court press which held CSUB scoreless through the next seven minutes. During that span, UCSB went on a 14–0 run to cut the lead down to three with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation. Freshman guard Tyonna Outland (Compton, Calif./Lynwood HS) put the 'Runners on her back, scoring 18 of her career–high 25 points in the second period.
UC Santa Barbara junior Kelsey Adrian did the same for her team, and after the Gauchos and 'Runners went bucket–for–bucket, she hit two treys in the final seconds to send the game into overtime.
Freshman forward Aly Brown (Tigard, Ore./Tualatin HS) scored an early layup to give the 'Runners the first lead, however, overtime would see four lead changes and one tie. Unfortunately CSUB turned over the ball four times which led to UCSB points to give it the lead. Free throws would mean the difference down the stretch as the Gauchos hit six of their eight attempts from the line to secure a 86–83 come from behind victory.
UCSB had five players finish in double–figure scoring while the only 'Runner other than Outland to finish in double–figures was Herman (18 points).
CSUB out–rebounded UCSB, led by senior Tamiko Davis (Sacramento, Calif./San Jose State) and freshman forward Cebrina Johnson (Corona, Calif./Santiago HS) with seven a piece while the Gauchos tallied 11 blocked shots and forced 16 CSUB turnovers.
Up next for CSUB is a road trip to Orem, Utah where it will face Utah Valley State on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2:00 p.m. PST.
Newspaper Box Score
UC Santa Barbara vs CSU Bakersfield
12-14-10 7:00 p.m. at Icardo Center
UC SANTA BARBARA 86, CSU BAKERSFIELD 83
UC SANTA BARBARA (4-5)
Johnson, Emilie 7-17 0-0 16; Nesbit, Nicole 6-7 1-2 13; Valentine, Mekia
5-10 2-5 12; Underwood, Sweets 5-9 2-5 12; Adrian, Kelsey 4-9 0-0 11;
Zornig, Melissa 3-6 2-2 9; Mason, Destini 3-8 2-2 8; Johnson, Margaret 1-3
3-5 5; Okolie, Adaeze 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-69 12-21 86.
CSU BAKERSFIELD (7-6)
Outland, Tyonna 10-19 6-10 29; Herman, Kristine 6-14 3-4 18; Johnson,
Cebrina 3-8 2-2 9; Williams, Amber 3-10 0-0 7; Smith, Jana 1-6 4-4 6; Davis,
Tamiko 2-6 1-2 5; Brown, Aly 2-5 0-1 4; Fields, Breana 1-3 0-0 3; Leon,
Nikki 1-4 0-0 2; McKenney, Madison 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-75 16-23 83.
UC Santa Barbara.............. 35 39 12 - 86
CSU Bakersfield............... 42 32 9 - 83
3-point goals--UC Santa Barbara 6-14 (Adrian, Kelsey 3-5; Johnson, Emilie
2-7; Zornig, Melissa 1-1; Mason, Destini 0-1), CSU Bakersfield 9-22
(Outland, Tyonna 3-4; Herman, Kristine 3-7; Fields, Breana 1-2; Johnson,
Cebrina 1-2; Williams, Amber 1-5; Leon, Nikki 0-2). Fouled out--UC Santa
Barbara-Underwood, Sweets, CSU Bakersfield-Leon, Nikki; Johnson, Cebrina.
Rebounds--UC Santa Barbara 43 (Valentine, Mekia 11), CSU Bakersfield 48
(Johnson, Cebrina 7; Davis, Tamiko 7). Assists--UC Santa Barbara 10
(Johnson, Emilie 4; Nesbit, Nicole 4), CSU Bakersfield 14 (Williams, Amber
5). Total fouls--UC Santa Barbara 20, CSU Bakersfield 19. Technical
fouls--UC Santa Barbara-None, CSU Bakersfield-None. A-203
