`Runners At UC Santa Barbara On Friday

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield women's basketball team will look for their first 2-0 start since the 2014-15 season when the Roadrunners take on future Big West Conference foe UC Santa Barbara on the road Friday, Nov. 9. The contest is set to tip-off at 7 p.m. in The Thunderdome.

UCSB opened the 2018-19 season with a 54-63 loss at Utah Valley on Tuesday. Santa Barbara held its largest lead of three points in the second quarter but were held to just eight points in the third quarter and were unable to limit the Wolverines second chance points (15).

"Santa Barbara is going to play hard," said head coach Greg McCall. "They have some good pieces and we're going to have to come in and play our game - make sure we don't turn the ball over, be aggressive on both ends for 40 minutes, and talk a lot. One thing we've been working on is boxing out and rebounding better. I think that'll be key for us as we'll be looking to capitalize on second chance points this weekend."

Seniors Alexxus Gilbert and Jeri Fears were just beginning their collegiate careers the last time Bakersfield saw the Gauchos. Gilbert had nine points in 18 minutes off the bench but the young and inexperienced group fell 60-61 in regulation. Three seasons later, McCall is bringing back his now veteran group to set the record straight.

"This will be the first of many road tests this season," explained McCall. "Now is the time that we really need our leadership to step up and show the new ones how to respond on the road in potential hostile environments. We want to expose them to this kind of atmosphere early, so we'll be prepared for any situation in March."

CSUB opened the 2018-19 season at home on Tuesday with a 76-74 decision over visiting Wright State University. The Roadrunners outscored the Raiders 41-28 in the first half before hitting a third quarter slump that allowed Wright State to erase a 16-point deficit and hold a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Four players finished in double-figures to give the `Runners the edge they needed to secure the win.

"I'm feeling good about how our team is coming along as a unit," added McCall. "I'm going to continue to highlight how coachable these young ladies are because it makes my job so much easier. We still have a way to go to get to where we want to be at the end of the season, but we're trying to do it the right way."

MEDIA COVERAGE
Friday night's clash with UC Santa Barbara will be livestreamed on Big West Digital Network. The link to watch the video broadcast can be found here, while live stats are also available here.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#0 Jeri Fears: F; 5' 9"; Junior

#12 Alexxus Gilbert: G; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#0 Jeri Fears
: 5' 9"; Junior
: F

#12 Alexxus Gilbert
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#0 Jeri Fears

#12 Alexxus Gilbert

Players Mentioned

#0 Jeri Fears

#12 Alexxus Gilbert