MIAMI, Fla.—FIU limited CSU Bakersfield to 35% shooting as the Panthers defeated the Roadrunners 82-59 Sunday afternoon at the FIU Thanksgiving Classic. The Panthers (3-3) led CSUB (2-5) 40-36 at halftime, but the FIU defense tightened limiting CSU Bakersfield to seven second half field goals (in 31 attempts). The Panthers shot 50% for the game, 17-of-35 (48.6%) in the closing frame.
“It was a tough shooting (game),” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “It was the first time we have played back to back and even though we played hard for all 40 minutes, I thought we got worn down in the second half.”
FIU outrebounded CSUB 47-28, but the Roadrunners forced 16 Panthers' turnovers and forced seven steals. FIU's Jerica Coley led all scorers with 30 points (11-of-13 from the free throw line). Three other Panthers' scored in double figures. Tyonna Outland (So., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) paced CSUB with 17 points and nine rebounds. Amber Williams (Jr., Fontana, Calif., Etiwanda HS) scored 13 points.
Outland and Ciarra Ford (Jr., Long Beach, Calif., Mt. Sac College) were named to the All-Tournament team. Outland averaged 16.0 points and 5.0 rebounds during the tournament. She shot 58.3% from the floor. Ford scored a season best 14 points against Maryland on Saturday. Ford added four assists, three steals, and three rebounds during the meet.
The Roadrunners head to the Doubletree Berkeley Marina Cal Classic next weekend. CSUB will play the host Bears Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Roadrunners will face either UNLV or Prairie View A&M at either 12 or 2 p.m. on Sunday.
~www.GoRunners.com~
