Box Score

Pacific UOP 5-7,0-1 WCC

CSU Bakersfield CSUB 3-5,0-0 Big West

Pacific UOP

5-7,0-1 WCC

Final

Dec. 22, 2022

CSU Bakersfield CSUB

3-5,0-0 Big West

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Pacific UOP	14	7	9	11	41
CSU Bakersfield CSUB	13	13	18	10	54

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | December 22, 2022 | Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

'Runners Nab Definitive Home Win for Early Holiday Gift

Next Game:

UC Riverside

12/29/2022 | 7:00 P.M.

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Next Game

Full Schedule

Dec. 29 (Thu) / 7:00 P.M.

UC Riverside

History

Recap
Roster

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – In the final game before Big West competition begins, the Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team defended home court, 54-41, against a Pacific team that's seen recent success against the Roadrunners during their all-time series history. Greg McCall's team put forth a complete, dominating effort on all areas of the court and earned redemption for last year's 78-65 loss against the Tigers in Stockton. In particular, Bakersfield's starting lineup led the way with all three starting guards netting double-digit points.

Notables

CSUB's starting guards Taylor Caldwell (12 pts), Grace Hunter (14 pts), and Sophia Tougas (15 pts) were shooting threats for the entire game, putting up a combined 41 of Bakersfield's 54 points.
Since making her debut from injury a few weeks ago, Taylor Caldwell has carved out a pivotal role on the team that desperately needs consistent scoring threats. She is now, statistically, the third best average points scorer on the team while still holding down a role as one of the team's best players off the board, racking up the second-most rebounds on the team in her shortened season.
After an incredibly tough road stretch that saw the `Runners drop all three games against Pepperdine, Sacramento State, and no. 10 UCLA, Greg McCall galvanized his team to put together a complete effort and secure a much-needed win heading into the break before conference play.

Quotes

Taylor Caldwell on what this game provides: "Definitely a little confidence boost going into conference play. We had a tough non-conference schedule, so we are still working on things that we want to improve going through the Big West games."
Caldwell on beginning Big West games: "The Big West has some good teams, especially coming from when we were in the WAC, so we just need to play winning basketball, play the game our way."
McCall on the win against Pacific: "It was an early Christmas present for sure. They are a really good team, and they beat both Riverside and UNLV, who we lost to in non-conference play. We scouted their last overtime loss against St. Mary's, and I am really proud of how our ladies competed, especially after not having the best start."

Next on the Schedule

After a holiday break, CSUB is back at home to host its first conference game vs UC Riverside.
vs UC Riverside, Thursday, Dec. 29, 7:00 p.m. (PT)
Full schedule available at GoRunners.com/WBB
CSUB Season Tickets and Single-Game Tickets available at GoRunners.com/Tickets

First Half

Sage Bridges-Bey, although in a limited capacity, played one minute of the game to get re-acquainted with the team on the court.
The `Runners jumped off to an early lead on the back of some Pacific turnovers and fouls that were easily converted into an 8-2 run about midway through the first quarter.
The Tigers went on a 9-4 run of their own in the final few minutes of the period to take what would become their first of only two leads on the day, accounting for just 2:08 of the game compared to CSUB's 37:43 of time leading.
Grace Hunter, who would later go on to score double-digit points, helped keep the `Runners in the game despite losing the lead by the end of the first quarter.
A big second quarter effort from CSUB was key in not only giving the `Runners a decent lead heading into halftime but also swinging momentum in their favor to come out and have an even bigger third quarter.

Second Half

Hunter continued making highlight-worthy plays with quarterback-like long hauls across the court to both Sophia Tougas and Julia Riley, who both capitalized on the gorgeous passes.
After creating a relatively large score gap through the third quarter, leading 44-30 going into the final period, Greg McCall had his team slow down and kill some time. CSUB's guards did their job of dictating the pace while continuing to be patient and set up scoring plays.
Although Pacific won the final quarter 11-10, the `Runners did more than enough to hold off the Tigers and swipe victory from their paws, which coach McCall named "an early Christmas present."
Taylor Caldwell ended the game two rebounds shy of a double-double, while alongside her two other guards, Tougas and Hunter, found a spark of chemistry and put up over 76% of the team's points. This will be a very welcome sight of offense to a team that has needed true scoring leaders to emerge.