Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev.—A 12-2 run midway through the third quarter proved to be the difference for CSU Bakersfield as the Roadrunners defeated Seattle U 62-54 in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Wednesday night in the Orleans Arena.
The Roadrunners (12-18) battled back from six down in the second quarter to lead 28-26 at halftime, Taelor Ross tied the game at 33 for Seattle U with a jumper at the 7:30 mark of the third quarter. CSUB responded with a Batabe Zempare layup on the ensuing possession that kick started the game changing run.
Three different players scored for the Roadrunners to increase the lead to 42-33 before Ross scored again with 3:56 to play. By the time the quarter had ended, CSUB led 47-39. The teams played to a 15-15 tie in the fourth for the final 62-54 score.
The Redhawks (9-21) would outshoot the 'Runners 40.8% (20-of-49) to 39.0% (23-of-59). SU outrebounded the 'Runners 37-33, but CSUB scored 26 points off of 26 Seattle U turnovers. The 'Runners made 13 steals.
Williams scored a game high 19 points in playing all 40 minutes for the first time in her career. Zempare posted 10 points and nine rebounds. Kaylee Best and Tal Sahar led SU as each scored 13 points.
CSU Bakersfield, the third seed, takes on the second seed, UTRGV on Friday in the WAC semifinals at 2:30 p.m. The Vaqueros (18-12) used a 17-2 run in the final four minutes of their first round game against the seventh seed, Chicago State, to defeat the Cougars 60-52.
~www.GoRunners.com~
