`Runners Fall to UTRGV in WAC Semifinal

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A furious run in the third quarter of Friday afternoon's Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal pushed CSU Bakersfield's women's basketball team ahead of UTRGV at the Orleans Arena. The Vaqueros responded in the fourth quarter and held off the Roadrunners, eliminating CSUB from contention for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 69-58 victory.

"This is always one of the toughest parts of the job, coming in here and facing this, when you know you have left everything on the floor," said Greg McCall, Head Coach of the `Runners. "You put all your heart and soul into it. These players battled and this is just one of the toughest parts of it, because you know it has come to an end…I'm so proud of these young ladies, these two here, and the rest of those ladies in the locker room, because we fought."

When asked to talk about her season and her career, senior guard Alexxus Gilbert expressed great joy despite the loss: "It was an exciting run. I have been here all four years and I wouldn't trade it for anything, even though we lost. To the underclassmen, I hope they take this as a lesson, as motivation to work harder for next year."

Fellow senior JJ Johnson shared words of optimism for her future after Friday's semifinal: "I knew, eventually, my time would be up and the younger players would be taking over. I'm pretty happy with that and I'm not really sad. Basketball is just what I do; it's not who I am…I'm just ready to go into my master's. I'm blessed and I'm glad I came to CSUB."

The `Runners and Vaqueros played a tight first 10 minutes that featured three lead changes. Bakersfield took its biggest lead at 14-10 when JJ Johnson converted an and-1 play in the lane. UTRGV responded with a 5-0 sprint to hold a 15-14 advantage after the first quarter.

CSUB started the second period out on a 7-0 run before UTRGV's Megan Johnson nailed a three-pointer to bring CSUB's lead down to 21-18. With the `Runners ahead 27-23, the Vaqueros used an 11-1 run to regain the lead in the closing minutes of the first half. Miracle Saxon got into the paint for two of her seven first-half points to cut the run, but UTRGV went to the locker room with a 34-30 advantage on CSUB.

Bakersfield's offense converted on 46% of its field goals in the opening 20 minutes, but UTRGV doubled CSUB's rebounding efforts with 22 boards. The Vaqueros tallied 11 second-chance points while the `Runners won the battle of the paint. Gilbert tied Saxon with seven points for the team lead at halftime.

Just as they did in the previous quarter, Bakersfield surged ahead of UTRGV on the back of its defense. The `Runners forced six Vaquero turnovers in the first six and a half minutes behind four team steals and two blocks by sophomore Vanessa Austin. The defensive push sent CSUB ahead, 43-36 thanks to a 13-2 run. The Vaqueros answered right back with a 9-1 run over the final 2:09 to take a 47-46 lead over the `Runners into the final period.

UTRGV continued its momentum into the fourth quarter, converting in the paint on three-straight trips to spark a run that put the Vaqueros ahead 57-46. With every push the `Runners made to get back in the game, UTRGV answered on the other end. CSUB drew as close as five points down at 61-56, but the Vaqueros held off the `Runner advances to earn a spot in Saturday's Championship Game.

Vanessa Austin finished the game with a team-high 15 points for the `Runners while chipping in eight rebounds as well. A pair of `Runners seniors in JJ Johnson and Gilbert scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, while the former added three rebounds and four steals in the semifinal matchup.

Bakersfield improved its rebounding efforts in the second half, but still lost the battle of the boards to UTRGV, 41-29. CSUB forced the Vaqueros to commit 19 turnovers thanks to eight `Runner steals. The deep ball hurt the `Runners in the Orleans Arena as UTRGV knocked down 8-of-19 (42%) from distance while CSUB made just 1-of-16 (6%) three-pointers.

Although not the desired final result, Roadrunner seniors leave behind an irreplaceable foundation for those players coming back next season as Bakersfield prepares for their final run in the Western Athletic Conference before joining the Big West in 2020-21.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#54 Vanessa Austin: C; 6' 3"; Sophomore

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

#20 JJ Johnson: G; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

#23 Miracle Saxon: F; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#54 Vanessa Austin
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: C

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

#20 JJ Johnson
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#23 Miracle Saxon
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: F

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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`Runners Fall to UTRGV in WAC Semifinal

Players Mentioned

#54 Vanessa Austin

#12 Alexxus Gilbert

#20 JJ Johnson

#23 Miracle Saxon

Players Mentioned

#54 Vanessa Austin

#12 Alexxus Gilbert

#20 JJ Johnson

#23 Miracle Saxon