LOS ANGELES, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield could not overcome a 11-0 UCLA start as the Bruins defeated the Roadrunners 70-54 in the first round of the WNIT Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion.

CSUB missed its first seven field goal attempts as the Bruins took a 6-0 lead into the first media timeout. UCLA led 11-0 before the Roadrunners scored for the first time six minutes into the game on an Tyonna Outland (R-Sr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) three-pointer.

“We just couldn't make shots at the start of the game,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “We were able to get stops, but we weren't able to score.”

The Roadrunners would make 11 of their final 20 shots, but CSUB trailed 36-26 at halftime. Four CSUB players were called for two fouls in the first half as the Bruins went to the line 14 times (7-14). The 'Runners only went once to the charity stripe (1-1) in the opening frame.  UCLA turned 16 CSUB first half turnovers into 13 points. The Bruins committed only eight turnovers in the first half.

Poor Roadrunner shooting returned to start the second half as the 'Runners went 0-5 on an 11-3 Bruins' run that began the frame. UCLA pushed the lead to 20 when the Roadrunners got to the free throw line to score eight straight to chip the lead down to 51-39.

The Roadrunners continue claw at the Bruins. Outland scored six of the next 10 CSUB points cut the UCLA advantage to 58-49. Brittany Sims' (So., Fresno, Calif., Edison HS) free throws made it a seven point game out of the timeout.

That would be as close as the 'Runners would get down the stretch. The Bruins used their size to control the offensive glass and prolong their offensive sets. UCLA outrebounded CSUB 33-14 in the second half and 56-34 for the game. The Roadrunners were held to six field goals in second half, but went 16-of-19 from the free throw line to remain competitive. CSUB only committed four turnovers in the second half.

“It's hard to come back on team that is as big as UCLA,” McCall said. “We were able to draw them out and get to the basket, but we couldn't convert down the stretch.”

Outland led all scorers with 28 points. She was 10-of-12 from the free throw line. Outland concludes her career with 2,078 points. Nirra Fields scored 26 for the Bruins. Lajahnna Drummer tallied a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds for UCLA.

The Roadrunners end the season with a 23-9. The 23 victories are the most for a CSUB team at the Division I level. UCLA improves to 14-18 and will play the University of San Diego in the second round of the tournament at a site and time to be determined.

“I am so proud of this team and what we have accomplished,” McCall said. “This was a remarkable season.”

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