CSUB to Begin Big West Competition After Holiday Break

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team played up to the task against Pacific. Not only did the Roadrunners earn redemption for last year's loss against the Tigers by beating them 54-41 on Dec. 22 but they also righted the ship with a much-needed win after a tough slate of away games that saw the Roadrunners drop three losses. With the start of Big West competition on the horizon, the `Runners will be looking to take both the positives and negatives of their non-conference games in an effort to put forth a more complete effort against conference opponents this year, after CSUB posted a 3-11 record in the Big West last year. Greg McCall and the team's student-athletes are confident in their abilities and drive to overtake last year's record, proving that this program is a force to be reckoned with despite being relative newcomers to the Big West.

This Week's Schedule

vs UC Riverside, Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.
at UC Irvine, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.
Tickets for CSUB home games available at GoRunners.com/Tickets

Quotes from Head Coach Greg McCall

On having rotational point guards: "It takes a lot of pressure off of Grace when we can have Taylor run the point, and vice-versa. Then we have Simone that can come in, and then Morgan, so we have many different ways that we can ease the pressure on our players."
"A lot of these games where we've had players hurt have allowed other players to step up. Morgan is one of those that has grown, and you can tell because she truly clicked against UCLA. Just knowing that we can trust different players on the court is comforting."
On the non-conference games: "It's been huge, and we have been battle-tested, especially with all of our injuries and the tough opponents that we've played. Regardless, our team hung tough in a lot of those games and we got a couple wins out of here. However, this game sets the tone going into the Big West games."

`Runner Notes

Since moving from the WAC in the 2020-21 season, CSUB will be looking to complete its first full Big West schedule in the program's history due to multiple games being canceled during the pandemic.
Despite a large slate of injuries to many key players including Hennie van Schaik, the team's leading scorer earlier in the season, a few `Runner newcomers and usual bench players have stepped up to the task.
In particular, transfer upperclassmen student-athletes Grace Hunter and Taylor Caldwell both place in the team's top-3 for multiple statistical categories and have taken leadership roles in quarterbacking the offense for more organized basketball than was seen earlier in the season.
The `Runners are currently 26-32 against Big West opponents in the McCall era, but the team will be looking to flip the script this year and turn a positive win differential, especially improving on last year's lackluster performance in the conference.
CSUB got its first win in the last three games during a dominant performance against Pacific last week, one that will surely give the team the confidence and momentum it needs heading into both the season and the new year.

Scouting the Highlanders

UC Riverside (2-8) is led by third-year Head Coach Nicole Powell.
Powell and CSUB's Greg McCall have a storied history between each other over the past few years. During her time at Grand Canyon University in the WAC with CSUB, Powell was unable to beat McCall's team, allowing CSUB to go 5-0 from 2018-2020, including a 59-73 loss to the `Runners in the 2018-19 WAC Tournament. However, since heading UC Riverside, Powell is a perfect 3-0 against McCall's team. CSUB will be looking to pick up its first win against the Highlanders in the Powell-era.
The Highlanders have played a relatively similar schedule to the `Runners, especially considering paralleled losses to Utah, Pepperdine, and UCLA. However, CSUB was able to beat Fresno State and Pacific, who UCR dropped both games against.
During Riverside's recent loss against Texas Tech, the Highlanders put up a season-low 38 points with Anna Blount as the team's top scorer (10 pts, 25 min).

Scouting the Anteaters

UC Irvine (8-3) is led by seventh-year Head Coach Tamara Inoue.
The Anteaters are coming off one of the best seasons in its program's history with 14 conference victories, making the Big West championship game, and earning a WNIT postseason berth.
While the last three matches between CSUB and UCI have gone the Anteaters' way, the series record during the McCall era still sways towards the `Runners at 7-6.
In their last game against Grand Canyon, the Anteaters posted a commanding performance to win 64-51 and notch coach Inoue's 100th career victory. Three Irvine players had double-digit points, including 15 points from French transfer Diaba Konate.

How to Follow the `Runners

All CSUB home games are available on ESPN+.
Links for video, live stats, and tickets are available at GoRunners.com/Live.
Live updates will be shared during games on Twitter @CSUB_WBB.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#3 Hennie van Schaik: F; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#4 Grace Hunter: G; 5' 10"; Junior

#11 Taylor Caldwell: G; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#3 Hennie van Schaik
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: F

#4 Grace Hunter
: 5' 10"; Junior
: G

#11 Taylor Caldwell
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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CSUB to Begin Big West Competition After Holiday Break

Players Mentioned

#3 Hennie van Schaik

#4 Grace Hunter

#11 Taylor Caldwell

Players Mentioned

#3 Hennie van Schaik

#4 Grace Hunter

#11 Taylor Caldwell