KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Erika Williams led four CSU Bakersfield players in double figures with 17 points as the Roadrunners defeated Missouri-Kansas City 78-68 Thursday night.  

Williams sank a pair of three-pointers to help get the 'Runners off to a 12-4 start. The 'Roos were able to get the foul count up against CSUB and as a result, UMKC went to the free throw line 11 times in the first six minutes of the game. The Kangaroos made six attempts from the charity stripe to go on an 8-0 run to tie the score at 12. The Roadrunners responded with three consecutive three-pointers from Dajy Vines, Airca Carmon, and Alyssa Shannon that led to a 11-2 spurt and a 23-14 advantage.  CSUB would end the first quarter in the lead by seven.

The Roadrunners scored the first five points on the second quarter to take their largest lead of the first half. Down by 14, UMKC forced three consecutive CSUB turnovers as they scored six of the next eight points in the game to trail 30-22 at the 6:08 mark.  The 'Runners held UMKC off the scoreboard for the next four minutes, allowing the CSUB lead to grow to 13.  The Kangaroos scored six points over the final six minutes of the second as the Roadrunners led 36-28 at halftime.

CSUB got off to a strong third quarter start, scoring the first seven points. Trailing by 13, the Kangaroos chipped away at the 'Runner lead, reducing the margin to eight. With the Roadrunners up by nine, a Shannon three-point play created it a 12-point game, 51-39 with two to go in the third. UMKC would score five of the final seven points of the period to get to within seven, 53-44, heading into the final period.

CSUB took a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the 'Roos again fought back, reducing the lead to 60-55 when Kiana Law made a jumper with just under five to play. Addi Walters' mid-range jumper on the ensuing CSUB possession gave the 'Runners a 62-55 lead. Samantha Waldron's put back of her own rebound again cut the 'Runner advantage to five but a Vines' three the next time down pushed the advantage back to eight. 

The closest the 'Roos would get down the stretch would be seven when Kelsey Barrett made 1-of-2 free throws with 2:51 remaining. CSUB led by as much as 13 in the final two minutes before the final 78-68 was posted.

The Roadrunners earned their first road victory (in 10 tries) in Kansas City. CSUB shot over 50% (25-for-49, 51) for only the second time this season. Williams connected on three three-pointers and was 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Batabe Zempare scored 15 while Shannon posted 13. Vines would score 11 and grab a game high eight rebounds.  Waldron would go 8-of-12 from the floor on the way to a game high 19 points. Cedira Coleman scored 12 while Kristen Moore had 11. Law added 10 for the 'Roos (7-14, 2-6 WAC).

“We did a really good job of playing on both ends of the floor,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “We got the stops on the defensive end when we needed them, we were able to shoot the basketball really well tonight, and we were able to make our free throws at the end of the game. We need to get ready to play a Chicago State that is coming off back-to-back wins against UMKC and Seattle.”

The Roadrunners (7-16, 4-4 WAC) travel to Chicago State (4-18, 2-6 WAC) Saturday at 2 p.m. (CST). The game can also be seen on the WAC Digital Network. CSUB returns home Feb. 18 when the 'Runners host NM State at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com for the WAC Digital Game of the Week.

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