BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—The CSU Bakersfield women's basketball team (22-7, 11-3 WAC) heads to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. on Wednesday to open its second Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Roadrunners take on Chicago State at 4:30 p.m. The 'Runners will be the second seed while the Cougars (4-24, 1-3 WAC) are the seventh seed. CSUB leads the all-time series against Chicago State 7-1. The Roadrunners swept the season series from the Cougars for the second year in a row in 2014-15.
This is the second time CSUB has met Chicago State in the postseason. The Roadrunners defeated the Cougars 93-92 in overtime of the 2011 CBI Tournament in Bakersfield.
The winner of the game between the Roadrunners and the Cougars will face the winner of the 3-6 match-up between Texas-Pan American (17-13, 9-5 WAC) and Missouri-Kansas City (6-23, 4-10 WAC) on Friday at 2:30 p.m.. CSUB and Texas-Pan American split a pair of games this season. The Broncs defeated the 'Runners 77-60 in Edinburg on Jan. 17 before CSUB defeated UTPA 87-72 Feb. 12 in Bakersfield. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 8-2.
CSUB swept the season series from Missouri-Kansas City by a total of five points. The Roadrunners defeated the Kangaroos 70-67 in Bakersfield on Jan. 22. CSUB handed the 'Roos a 78-76 defeat Feb. 21 in Kansas City. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 5-0.
On the other side of the bracket the fourth seed, Seattle U (9-20, 6-8 WAC) plays the fifth seed Utah Valley (11-18, 5-9 WAC). CSUB won both times this season against Seattle U. The Roadrunners defeated the Redhawks 69-62 on Jan. 31 in Seattle before earning a 73-61 victory against Seattle U on Feb. 28 in Bakersfield. CSUB leads the all-time series against the Redhawks 10-4. The Roadrunners concluded the regular season with a 78-54 victory over Utah Valley on Mar. 7. The Wolverines defeated the 'Runners 70-58 in Orem on Feb. 5. CSUB leads the all-time series 9-3.
The winner of the 4-5 game plays WAC regular season champion New Mexico State in the semifinals. The Aggies received a first round bye in the seven-team tournament. CSUB and New Mexico State split a pair of games this season. The Aggies defeated the Roadrunners 90-78 in overtime Feb. 15. CSUB handed NMSU an 82-78 loss Feb. 14 in Bakersfield. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 3-2.
The championship game will be played on Saturday at 1 p.m. The first round and the semifinals will be available for viewing on the WAC Digitial Network. Saturday's game will be televised by ESPN U and is available on ESPN3.com or the Watch ESPN app.
CSU Bakersfield advanced to the semifinals of the 2014 WAC Tournament before losing to Seattle U 84-79.
Three CSU Bakersfield women's basketball players earned awards from the Western Athletic Conference by a vote of league's eight head coaches. The awards were announced Mar. 9.
Tyonna Outland (R-Sr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) was selected first team All-Conference. In WAC only games, Outland would lead the league in scoring (20.2). Her average was nearly three points better per game than the WAC MVP Brianna Freeman (17.5).
Outland, who was also named to the conference's All-Defensive team, was third in the WAC in steals per game (1.93). Outland finished second in WAC play in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.56), eighth in offensive rebounds (2.57), ninth in assists (3.0), 11th in field goal shooting (.427), 12th in free throw shooting (.660) tied for 19th in rebounding (5.0). She was selected WAC Player of the Week four times.
Alyssa Shannon (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) earned second team All-Conference honors and was named to the WAC All-Defensive team. In WAC only games, Shannon led the WAC in three-point shooting (.486). The 5-2 point guard was second in assists (3.93), third in free throw percentage (.789), fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.34), sixth in steals (1.71), and sixth in minutes played (34.5).
Batabe Zempare (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) was named second team All-Conference. Zempare averaged a double-double in WAC only games, with 10.1 points and a league leading 11.0 rebounds per game. The 6-2 forward was first in defensive rebounds (6.93), second in offensive rebounds (4.07), sixth in field goal shooting (.487), and ninth in steals (1.64).
~www.GoRunners.com~
