MIAMI, Fla. – After trailing through the majority of the first half, CSUB (7–2) defeated Florida International University, 68–64, in NCAA Division I women's basketball action Friday.

FIU (4–3) led through the majority of the first half after jumping out to a seven–point lead in the first five minutes. CSUB managed to tie the game at 15–points apiece with a little over 12 minutes remaining in the second half, however, FIU used a 12–4 run to build its lead back up to eight.

The Roadrunners rallied back with a 10–2 run of their own, including eight points from senior guard Britney McGee (Bakersfield, Calif./Univ. of Albany) in a six–minute span, to take over the lead for the first time with three minutes to go in the half. Junior forward Jana Smith (Tehachapi, Calif./Tehachapi HS) scored four of her seven first–half points in the final minute of the half.

Despite being out–rebounded by the Panthers, 24–15, in the first half, the 'Runners shot 5–11 from behind the arc, 6–9 from the line and forced 13 turnovers to take a 41–38 lead into the break.

CSUB carried its momentum into the second half, as it knocked down three of its first–four field goal attempts to start the second half. The 'Runners built up a seven–point lead, however, FIU fought back to cut the lead to one. After being tied with six–minutes left in the game, the Panthers went on a quick 9–4 run to regain the lead.

CSUB grabbed the lead back with a little over a minute left to play thanks to a pair of free throws from McGee while sophomore guard Amber Williams (Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda HS) made good on a final–second lay–up to secure the Roadrunners' seventh win and fourth on the road.

Smith and McGee each finished the night with 15 points while Smith grabbed seven rebounds and McGee pulled down five. Senior guard Nikki Leon (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon HS) finished with a team–leading eight rebounds and added 6 points while Williams continued her streak of double–figure scoring, finishing with 10 points. 

The Roadrunners remain in the state of Florida, as they travel to Coral Gables Sunday, Dec. 5, to take on ACC member Miami at 11:00 a.m. PST. 

Newspaper Box Score

Newspaper Box Score
CSU Bakersfield vs FIU
12/03/10 06:00 PM at U.S. Century Bank Arena - Miami, Fla.
At U.S. Century Bank Arena - Miami, Fla.
CSU BAKERSFIELD 68, FIU 64
CSU BAKERSFIELD (7-2)
Smith, Jana 7-13 1-4 15; McGee, Britney 4-8 4-5 15; Williams, Amber 4-10 1-4
10; Leon, Nikki 3-8 0-0 6; Outland, Tyonna 2-6 2-4 6; Davis, Tamiko 2-2 1-1
5; Fields, Breana 2-6 0-0 5; Johnson, Cebrina 0-2 3-4 3; Herman, Kristine
1-4 0-0 3; Carter, Lauren 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-59 12-22 68.
FIU (4-3)
Rodgers, Rakia 10-24 2-2 25; Mansare, Finda 9-12 2-4 21; Coley, Jerica 3-13
2-4 9; Hutlassa, Fanni 3-4 0-0 6; Miloglav, Carmen 1-8 0-0 3; Jekabsone,
Liene 0-0 0-0 0; Gonzalez, Michelle 0-10 0-0 0. Totals 26-71 6-10 64.
CSU Bakersfield...............   41   27  -   68
FIU...........................   38   26  -   64
3-point goals--CSU Bakersfield 6-13 (McGee, Britney 3-5; Herman, Kristine
1-2; Fields, Breana 1-2; Williams, Amber 1-3; Leon, Nikki 0-1), FIU 6-29
(Rodgers, Rakia 3-11; Mansare, Finda 1-2; Coley, Jerica 1-5; Miloglav,
Carmen 1-6; Gonzalez, Michelle 0-5). Fouled out--CSU Bakersfield-None,
FIU-None. Rebounds--CSU Bakersfield 39 (Leon, Nikki 8), FIU 49 (Hutlassa,
Fanni 9). Assists--CSU Bakersfield 17 (Williams, Amber 4; Johnson, Cebrina
4), FIU 21 (Hutlassa, Fanni 6; Gonzalez, Michelle 6). Total fouls--CSU
Bakersfield 13, FIU 13. Technical fouls--CSU Bakersfield-None, FIU-None.