BOISE, Idaho – In one of its most even games of the season, CSU Bakersfield's women's basketball team battled back and forth with Boise State at the Taco Bell Arena. After trailing by two points at halftime, the Roadrunners won the second half en route to a 65-59 road victory over the Broncos.
"I am so happy for these young ladies," said Greg McCall, Head Coach of the `Runners. "This is a special bunch and they are proving that night in and night out. The way our defense played tonight and then we started to execute on the offensive end. It's huge. I said it before; when it clicks, we will be pretty dangerous and that's what happened tonight."
The `Runners and Broncos played through a fairly even first quarter with Boise State taking a 17-12 lead after the first 10 minutes. In the second quarter, CSUB started out strong and took a lead at 24-23 with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Back-to-back-to-back fast-break layups helped the `Runner defense disrupt the Boise State offense and gave CSUB the lead.
The `Runners wound up winning the second quarter, but a last-second layup gave the Broncos a 29-27 lead heading into the locker room. Sophomore Daije Harris had a team-high six points at the break while five `Runners had four points or more. Guard Alexxus Gilbert posted four points, four rebounds, and two assists in the first half for Bakersfield.
Boise State gained a five-point lead, 43-38, midway through the third quarter, but an 8-0 run by the `Runners put CSUB back in the lead. The two teams finished off the third quarter tied at 45 points apiece as the tight game featured nine lead changes to that point.
A driving layup by Gilbert with less than seven minutes remaining put the `Runners up 51-47. A minute later, back-to-back free throws by CSUB's guard gave the `Runners a six-point lead, their biggest of the game. The Broncos answered with a 6-0 run to give the game its 12th tie at 53-53 before Riley Lupfer's three-pointer put Boise State ahead, 56-55.
A steal and fast-break layup and-one by Jazmine Johnson helped the `Runners take a three-point lead with just over a minute left. A spin into the paint created some space for Gilbert on the next possession and the junior knocked down the dagger. CSUB held on to win 65-58 on the road, improving to 6-6 on the year.
Gilbert, a native of Dallas, Texas, led all players with 17 points (7-of-15 FG) on Wednesday night. She added five rebounds and three assists against the Broncos while Williams had 15 points and four rebounds. Jazmyne Bartee, a redshirt senior, chipped six points and nine rebounds in one of her best games of the season.
The `Runners held Boise State to just 22% shooting (5-of-23) from behind the arc. Bakersfield forced 21 Bronco turnovers and outscored BSU 22-12 off turnovers. CSUB knocked down 10-of-12 free throws, making vital shots in crucial moments.
"This is a really good group and they are really disciplined," McCall said. "We'll get back in the gym on the 26th, get our rhythm back, and be ready to go for next week."
CSUB will head home for the Christmas break, but the rest will be short as the `Runners have a pair of games next week. After traveling to Cal Poly on Dec. 29, the `Runners will return back to Bakersfield. UC Irvine will come to the Icardo Center on New Year's Eve as CSUB will attempt to defend its 4-0 record at home this season.
~GoRunners.com~
