BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield extended its home court winning streak to 20 with an 82-78 victory over Western Athletic Conference women's basketball leader New Mexico State Saturday afternoon. The Roadrunners have not lost at home since Jan. 18, 2014 when Idaho defeated CSUB 96-69. The Roadrunners have won 30 of their past 31 on the blue court of the Icardo Center dating back to Jan. of 2013.

“What a win,” said CSU Bakersfield head coach Greg McCall. “Our team played their butts off, I couldn't be more proud.”

CSUB (18-7, 7-3 WAC) jumped out to a 15-6 lead before the 'Runners were called for a series of fouls that resulted in the Aggies going to the line 10 times in the first 8:20 of the first half. NM State made nine of the 10 attempts from the charity strip, closing to 20-13 with 11:40 on the clock.

New Mexico State connected on only 8-of-28 field goal attempts in the first half, but their continued ability to get to the free throw line, (15-18 for the stanza) kept it a nine-point game at half, 43-34. Hali Ford (Jr., St. Louis, Mo., Moberly Area CC) reset her career high with 10 points in the first half to go along with Tyonna Outland's (R-Sr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) 11.

Both teams got off to sluggish start in the second half with both teams missing three of their first five field goal attempts. Brianna Freeman's three-point play at the 13:03 mark of the second half brought the Aggies to within six, 50-44. A technical foul on NMSU's Moriah Mack helped push the CSUB lead back out to seven.

The Aggies responded, cutting the lead to one when Shanice Davis connected on a three-pointer with 5:17 to play. The Roadrunners outscored NM State 15-8 over the next five minutes, taking an eight-point lead with 43 seconds to go.

“We knew it would be a tough battle since their confidence is so high,” McCall said.

A Davis three with 38 ticks cut the lead to 77-72. The Aggies fouled Alyssa Shannon (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) on the inbounds pass. Shannon, the WAC leader in free throw shooting (.848), made only 1-of-2 attempts. The Aggies got the rebounds and gave it to Davis, who was fouled. Davis sank both to create a 78-74 score.

Shannon was again fouled on the inbounds pass. The Roadrunner point guard missed both attempts leading to Davis being fouled again. She again made both attempts for a 78-76 game. CSUB passed the ball to Outland who dribbled ¾ quarter court before being fouled. Outland made 1-of-2 for a three-point game.

CSUB deliberately fouled Davis on the ensuing possession in the backcourt to send the Aggies' guard to the line. Davis made both. With the Roadrunners up 79-78, Davis fouled Shannon with seven seconds remaining. Shannon made the first attempt but missed the second. Brittany Sims (So., Fresno, Calif., Edison HS) got the offensive rebound and was fouled.

Sims, a 6-3 forward who came into the game shooting 58.3% from the free throw line, dropped in both attempts for 81st and 82nd points CSUB points. A three-pointer at the buzzer from NM State fell short, resulting in the first league loss of the season for the Aggies (16-7, 9-1).

For the second consecutive game, CSUB did not allow its opponent to take a lead.  The game was a tightly called as four of the five New Mexico State starters fouled out. The teams combined for 51 fouls and 73 free throw attempts. NM State went 31-of-35 from the line (88.6%) compared to 26-of-38 (68.4%) for the Roadrunners.

“We expected a physical game as we are an aggressive team,” McCall said. “That's probably why there were so many fouls called. They scored 31 points from the free throw line and missed four. That's what kept them in the game. We were forcing them to play our style of game.”

CSUB tallied a season high 54 rebounds, 17 more than the Aggies. CSUB outshot NMSU 36.8% (25-of-68) to 35% (21-60). Outland record her 10th career double-double with 23 points and a career high 13 rebounds. Sims scored a season high 12 points as she reset career highs for made free throws (8) and free throw attempts (10). Erika Williams (R-So., Fresno, Calif., Diamond Ranch HS) scored 10 points and had eight rebounds.

Davis went 10-of-11 from the free throw line. The fifth leading scorer in the WAC, Davis posted a game high 25 points. Brianna Freeman earned a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sasha Weber, the third leading scorer in the conference, had 14. Tamera William added 13.

CSUB hits the road for the final time in the regular season next week. The road trip begins at Chicago State on Thursday. Tip is set for 7:05 p.m. (CST). The 'Runners return home Feb. 28 when CSUB hosts Seattle U at 1 p.m. The Feb. 28 game is National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on the CSUB campus. Tickets are available at vallitix.com.

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