BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield broke an eight-game losing streak with a 57-52 victory over Cal Poly in women's basketball play Saturday afternoon.

Cal Poly (6-5) made their first four shots and took a 11-0 lead midway through the first quarter. CSUB rallied, ending the opening frame on a 11-2 run. CSUB tied the score at 13 on a pair of Tyrin Carter free throws 28 seconds into the second quarter.  

With the scored tied at 15, the Roadrunners rattled of a 11-6 spurt that allowed CSUB to take its largest lead of the first half, 26-21, with 1:26 to play in the first half. The 'Runners would lead at halftime for the only the second time this season, 28-24. After being 4-of-4, the Roadrunners held the Mustangs to 6-of-26 shooting for the rest of the half. The Roadrunners weren't much better, shooting 9-of-30 from the field.

Both teams continued to struggle from the field as the squads both only made four field goal attempts in the third quarter. Each team scored 13 points as the 'Runners led 41-37. The Mustangs closed to within two just before the media timeout in the fourth quarter when Dynan Leaupepe drove to the lane for a layup that made it 43-41.

CSUB again used a short scoring spurt, 7-1, to increase the lead to 49-42. The Mustangs charged back, closing the Roadrunner advantage to 51-48 with 23 seconds to play. CSUB inbounded the ball to their best free throw shooter, point guard Alyssa Shannon. The 5-2 Bakersfield native made a pair of attempts at the 15-second mark for a 53-48 'Runner lead.

Rachel Koehler drove the lane for a layup and a 53-50 CSUB advantage. Cal Poly again fouled Shannon on the inbounds pass. She made both for a five-point lead. The Roadrunners elected to foul Beth Balmier rather than let her attempt a three-pointer. She connected on both attempts. With the Roadrunners leading 55-52, Shannon closed out the game with two more free throws for the final score.

Shannon went 8-for-8 from the free throw line to score 11 points. She has made 27 consecutive free throws dating back to Dec. 2 at Fresno State.

Both teams shot in the 30-percent range for the game. Cal Poly was 19-of-57 from the field (33.3%) while the Roadrunners were 32.1% (18-for-56). CSUB's Addi Walters led all scorers with 15 points. The 5-9 freshman went 6-of-11 from the floor.

Cal Poly was led by Balmier who had 13. Hannah Gilbert, a Mustang forward, was 6-of-9 from the field for 12 points.  CSUB forced 21 Cal Poly turnovers that were turned into 26 points. The Roadrunner bench outscored the Mustang bench 28-13.

“It is a great feeling to get back on the winning side,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “Our team did a good job of battling. We can't use our schedule as an excuse for our record. We need to do something every day to get better and that's what we did today.”

The Roadrunners (2-10) travel to No. 12/15 Stanford Tuesday. CSUB returns home Dec. 30 when the 'Runners host Hawai'i at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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