BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield rallied from a 10-point deficit with 1:23 to play in regulation to force overtime against San José State where the Roadrunners defeated the Spartans 90-88.

“It's amazing what heart and hustle can do for you,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall.

A 12-0 San José State run to open the second half allowed the Spartans to lead by as many as 12. CSUB battled back, chopping down the SJSU advantage to one, 61-60 on a pair of free throws from Erika Williams. A pair of Nyre Harris field goals keyed an 11-0 spurt to give the Spartans a 72-60 lead at the 2:40 mark of the fourth quarter.

Williams launched the Roadrunner game-tying run with a three-point play. Bakersfield native Rachol West missed a three-point field goal attempt on the ensuing Spartans' possession. She fouled Williams who connected on 1-of-2 free throws. CSUB pressed, resulting in a Dezz Ramos turnover. Alexxus Gilbert who made the steal was fouled by Ramos on the play. Gilbert connected on both attempts from the charity stripe to make it 72-66.

The press worked again, forcing an Aniya Baker turnover. Zempare scored to cut it to four. A third consecutive Spartans' turnover resulted in a Gilbert layup. Down 72-70 with 48 seconds to play, the Roadrunners elected not to foul, hoping for a stop. The gamble worked as Jasmine Smith missed a jumper which was rebounded by Zempare. The Roadrunners called timeout, working the ball down low to Williams. Williams missed, but the offensive rebound and put back by Zempare tied the score with eight seconds to play in regulation.

San José State called timeout in order to advance the ball to half court. With two fouls to give, CSUB elected to do so. The ploy took two seconds off the clock. On the Spartans' second attempt to inbound, Hali Ford stole the ball from Harris at three-quarters court. She took four dribbles and was able to get a 19-footer off at the buzzer. The ball went in and out of the rim, resulting in overtime.

San José State led by as many as six in the overtime session. Trailing 86-82 with 1:29 to play, CSUB mounted the game winning charge. Alyssa Shannon made 1-of-2 free throws. She missed the second which Ramos rebounded. Shannon immediately stole the ball. Gilbert worked the ball to Gilbert who was fouled going to the basket. The freshman guard made both to make it 86-85.

The teams traded stops before San José State couldn't get a shot off, resulting in a team turnover. The Roadrunners called a play for Zempare. The 6-2 forward was fouled and she connected on both attempts to put CSUB up 87-86 with 22 seconds to play. The Spartans called timeout, again getting the ball at half court. Ramos missed a jumper which was rebounded by Zempare. The Roadrunners passed the ball to freshman Addi Walters who was fouled. She sank both to put CSUB up by three.

With San José State inbounding the ball and looking for a three-pointer to tie the game, the Roadrunners elected to foul. Ford sent Baker to the line where she made both attempts. The Spartans fouled Shannon who again made 1-of-2. Seven ticks remained on the clock for San José State. The Spartans worked the ball down to Baker who missed a three-point attempt with two seconds to play. Zempare grabbed her school record 22nd rebound to secure the win for the 'Runners.

“Tying the game up in the final 1:23 says a lot about our team,” McCall said. “We've been battling and should have won our first two games. We didn't get the stops we needed in those games, but we got them this afternoon.”

Zempare reset her own school record for most rebounds in a game. She previously had 21 against UTRGV on Feb. 1, 2014. The native of Ghana recorded her 24th career double-double as she scored 24 points. She was one of five CSUB players in double figures. Gilbert scored 15 points and had four steals. Williams scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Walters scored 12 and added six rebounds. Dajy Vines returned from the second major knee injury of her career. The sixth-year senior charted 11 points.

Smith led the Spartans with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds. San José State saw four of its players score in double figures. Harris posted 17 while Baker had 14. Ramos added 10.

The Roadrunners head to the Waikiki Beach Marriott Rainbow Wahine Showdown over Thanksgiving weekend. CSUB takes on the host Hawai'i on Nov. 26, followed by No. 2 South Carolina Nov. 27 and No. 15 Arizona State Nov. 29.

The Roadrunners return home Dec. 8 when CSUB hosts Pepperdine. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. The game can also be seen on the WAC Digital Network.

~www.GoRunners.com~