FRESNO, Calif.—Fresno State defeated CSU Bakersfield 57-50 Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs began the game on a 7-0 run before Alyssa Shannon got the 'Runners on the board three minutes into the first period.  Both teams experienced shooting struggles as each team shot under 40% for the frame. Fresno State would lead 14-10 upon the conclusion of the period.

An Addi Walters' three-pointer capped off a 7-2 spurt for the Roadrunners that allowed CSUB to take a 17-16 lead 1:51 into the second period. Fresno State scored five of the next eight points to go up 22-19 at the second quarter media timeout.  CSUB would tie it again at 24 when Tylinn Carter hit a deep three with just under three to play in the second.  The Bulldogs would score the final six points of the first half to take a 30-24 lead into the break.

A Bego Faz Davalos three-point play gave Fresno State their largest lead of the game to that point, 35-27 just before the third period media timeout. A Shannon three-point play on the ensuing CSUB possession got the 'Runners back into the game. CSUB held the Bulldogs without a point for nearly four minutes.  A Walters' three during this span made it a 35-33 game. A pair of Walters' free throws tied the game after Fresno State was called for a technical foul. Shaquanna Collins' layup off a Roadrunner turnover returned the advantage to the Bulldogs with 27 seconds to play in the third.

Walters connected on a three-pointer to begin the fourth quarter for the Roadrunners to put CSU Bakersfield back into the lead by one.  A Moriah Faulk's back-to-back buckets put the Bulldogs back up by three. Erika Williams tied the game 41-41 with a three-pointer that went off the glass. Faulk's three-point play once again gave Fresno State the lead. A Shannon free throw cut the Bulldogs' lead to 44-42 with seven to play.

The scored remained at 44-42 for the next two minutes before a Bulldogs' foul sent freshman Jerice Fears to the free throw line. Fears made both to tie it up. Faz Davalos put Fresno State up 46-44 at the 3:35 mark. A CSUB turnover would lead to a Brittany Aikens jumper and a four-point Bulldogs' lead. On the ensuing CSUB possession, Shannon's floater made it 48-46.

After a pair of misses, Fresno State (3-4) came away with the ball and called timeout with 1:50 to go. The Bulldogs' 20th offensive rebound out of the timeout allowed the Bulldogs to keep the ball. Brittany Aikens was fouled going to the basket. She made both free throws for a 50-46 Fresno State advantage.

Batabe Zempare made a short jumper to cut it to 50-48. Faz Davalos missed a field goal attempt for the Bulldogs. Collins grabbed the offensive rebound and called timeout with 45 seconds remaining. Collins missed a jumper, but this time Faz Davalos grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She connected on both to give Fresno State a 52-48 lead. After a CSUB timeout, the Roadrunners could not inbound the ball and were called for a five-second violation.

Breanne Kinishka was fouled. She went to the line and could only make 1-of-2 attempts. With Fresno State leading 53-48, CSUB called timeout. Walters missed a three-pointer and it was picked up by Kinishka who again made 1-of-2. The Roadrunners called their final timeout. Collins fouled Walters where she sank both attempts. Faulk was fouled as CSUB went for the steal on the inbounds pass. Faulk connected on 1-of-2 chances before a Roadrunner turnover gave the Bulldogs the ball. Faulk was fouled again where she made two free throws. Keri Kleist's layup at the buzzer for CSUB became the final points of the night.

CSUB held Fresno State to 28.8% shooting for the night (19-of-66), but the Bulldogs controlled the offensive glass. The Bulldogs would record 22 offensive rebounds which allowed Fresno State to take 21 more shots.  Fresno State charted a total of 43 rebounds compared to 37 (nine offensive) for CSUB. The Bulldogs would go to the free throw line 10 more times that the Roadrunners (26-16).  

"Rebounding was huge tonight," said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. "We played well enough on defense, but we couldn't keep them off the glass when we needed to."

Faulk led all scorers with 16 points. Faz Davalos tallied her fifth double-double of the year with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Shannon and Walters each scored 13 to lead the 'Runners.

Wednesday's game was only the fifth in CSUB history in which the Roadrunners held a team to 60 or fewer points in which the 'Runners lost (106-5).

CSUB (1-6) travels to No. 24 UCLA (3-2) Saturday afternoon. Tip is set for 2 p.m. 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.

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