`Runners To Take A Shot At Conference Title

BAKERSFIELD, Calif—The CSU Bakersfield women's basketball team will play its final home game of the season against Grand Canyon University. The Roadrunners are playing for their first ever WAC Regular Season title or a possible share of the title with New Mexico State, if the Aggies also win this weekend. Saturday's game will also recognize the seniors for their last time playing on the blue court as a Roadrunner.

"Our players know how important this game is and know what's at stake," said Greg McCall head coach of CSUB women's basketball. "This is the position our players put us in and I rather be in this position than any other position. As you know we have been second place several times and it's our time to finally make history."

After last Saturdays heartbreaker lost to Seattle U the `Runners are looking to jump right back into winning position to go out with bang and to not only take the conference title but to take the first-place spot for the WAC tournament. Wining against GCU would give CSUB the tie breaker if NMSU end up sharing the conference title.

Grand Canyon will come to Bakersfield with a 14-13, 8-5 WAC record and a second-place tie with Seattle U. Just like CSUB, GCU are looking for another win to improve its standings for post season. The Lopes were defeated last time the two teams went toe to toe to a record low for GCU as CSUB held the Lopes to just two points in the first quarter alone.

Currently, GCU leads the conference in assists to turnover ratio with 1.04 and 7.8 three-pointers per game. Grand Canyon comes right behind Bakersfield in scoring defense in the league with 62.4 points per game while the Lopes are averaging 63.2 points a game. Leading the Lopes is Brie Mobley with 17.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and Jessica Gajewski, who also leads the WAC in three-pointer percentage with a 41.1%, with 15.2 points, 7.4 rebounds per game and has 33 steals.

Coach McCall went on to discuss the importance of this game, "It's a big game, seniors last home game, championship game and an opportunity for us to be top seed. The team understand what's at stake and they are working their butts off at practice. We are still constantly trying to get better, we are not perfect, don't have an undefeated record and loss three games in the conference but the team is still trying to get better and along the way win games. However, our main focus right now is this one game, an opportunity to make history. I love this team, they are a team that's hungry for practice, games, wins, and success. It's a great feeling as a coach!"

The `Runners will take on the Lopes Saturday Mar. 3 with a tip off scheduled for 1 p.m. Roadrunners fans should pack the stands for an eventful game with a first place on the line and saying a farewell to the seniors.

~GoRunners.com~

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