BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Tyonna Outland (R-Sr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) scored 21 of her game high 27 points in the second half to CSU Bakersfield past UC Irvine 80-70 Wednesday night.

Four of the nine CSU Bakersfield players who saw action in the first half for the Roadrunners were called for at least two fouls. Outland was called for her third foul with under three to go in the first half. Despite the foul trouble (12 for Bakersfield, six for UC Irvine), the 'Runners would lead by as much as 13 before taking a 33-27 advantage into the break. Brooklynn Hinkens (Sr., Lake Tapps, Wash., Auburn-Riverside HS) scored 12 of her 14 points in the opening stanza.

Batabe Zempare (Jr., Accra, Ghana, Scottsdale Chapparal HS) came off the bench for the first time to begin the second half. Zempare responded with six points and two rebounds in a 2:30 span that sparked an eight point 'Runner lead in the early portion of the second half.

UCI chipped away at the CSUB lead, making it 51-50 with just over 10 to play in the second half. The Roadrunners responded with a 13-5 run in which Outland scored eight consecutive points.  Bakersfield posted its largest lead of the second half, 71-59, with 4:29 to play. The closest UCI would get down the stretch was eight.

Outland was not called for a foul in the second half as she went 7-of-15 from the floor (9-of-21 for the game). Outland attempted all 10 of her free throws in the second, making seven. She finished the night with six rebounds and two assists. It was her third 25+ point performance in six games this season.

Zempare, who has been battling knee problems throughout this season, scored 11 points and nabbed eight rebounds in 12 second half minutes. The 6-2 forward added two steals and an assist. Brittany Sims (So., Fresno, Calif., Edison HS) grabbed a career high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points. CSUB point guard Alyssa Shannon (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) played all 40 minutes, scoring seven points and dishing out five assists.

CSUB held the Anteaters to 23.5% shooting (8-of-34) in the first half. UCI made 17-of-34 attempts in the second half to finish 36.8% from the floor. The Anteaters outrebounded the 'Runners 47-42 (23-16 on the offensive glass). CSUB scored 27 points off of 19 UC Irvine turnovers.  

Irene Chavez led UCI in scoring with 21 points. Two Anteater players had double-doubles. Methlyn Onogomuho scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds while Mokun Fajemisin charted 14 points and 13 rebounds. Shereen Suthern scored 11. Former Roadrunner Madison McKinney scored five points and led UCI with five assists.  

“We got the win,” said CSU Bakersfield head coach Greg McCall. “It wasn't the greatest performance, but the team toughed it out. I thought we might have underestimated them a bit and we have to do a better job of that going forward.  This was a good learning experience against a Division I opponent with a (losing) record.”

The Roadrunners conclude a four-game home stand Saturday when the Roadrunners host undefeated UC Riverside (5-0) at 1 pm.

“UC Riverside is a good team,” McCall said. “We will see what they do against Fresno State (on Thursday) and we will come out prepared for them.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available at vallitix.com.

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