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David Dennis / All-Star Sports Photography

Women's Basketball Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

`Runners Looking for Payback Against Cal Poly and Hawai'i

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team played a pair of games at CSUN and LBSU last week that went down to the wire despite how the scores might have looked. With just six games remaining before the Big West Basketball Championship, the Roadrunners are still jockeying for a better position in the standings as they come up against Cal Poly and Hawai'i next.

Upcoming Schedule
  • vs Cal Poly, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.
  • at Hawai'i, Monday, Feb. 20, 4 p.m.
`Runner Notes
  • With the first game at CSUN, the Matadors were desperate to break their nine-game losing skid, which gave them the extra edge against CSUB. Northridge jumped out to a big first-half lead that the `Runners were unable to overcome despite a big third quarter and comeback attempt.
  • At Long Beach State, and with the Beach on a nine-game win streak, the `Runners displayed a shock-and-awe style of offense, jumping out to a 36-25 first half lead. The Beach flipped the script in the second half and turned an 11-point deficit into a comeback 11-point victory.
  • In spite of taking back-to-back losses through the weekend, Hennie van Schaik was on fire grabbing a combined 35 points and 9 boards over the two games, setting a new career high point total against CSUN with 18 points on 6-of-17 from the field.
  • Both Sophia Tougas and Taylor Caldwell posted career numbers in the same game against Long Beach State. Mirroring van Schaik's efforts against CSUN, Tougas put up 18 points. Caldwell contributed 9 assists, good enough for top-10 in CSUB's D1 single-game records.
  • With just two wins in the new year, Bakersfield will still be looking to gain some momentum heading into the end-season tournament, as the `Runners will still have the opportunity to compete for the championship due to being guaranteed a spot in the bracket.
Scouting the Mustangs
  • Cal Poly (7-15, 4-10 BW) is led by first-year head coach Shanele Stires.
  • Back on Jan. 5, Cal Poly defended its home court against CSUB for the season's first conference victory. The Mustangs played a suffocating defense that held the `Runners to a season-low 37 points, with Cal Poly taking the game by thirteen.
  • Hennie van Schaik was CSUB's key performer last time, putting up 10 points and 8 rebounds, while Cal Poly had two double-digit scorers off the bench, including Natalia Ackerman who had 10 points alongside 9 boards.
  • In their last game, the Mustangs utilized just seven players who all played no less than 21 minutes in their 61-50 victory over CSUN. Ackerman posted her first career double-double, while two other players also contributed double-digit point totals.
  • Like CSUB, Cal Poly also currently sits in the bottom-five of the conference for both average offense and defense. With just one more conference win, Cal Poly sits two places about Bakersfield in the Big West standings.
Scouting the Rainbow Wahine
  • Hawai'i (11-12, 9-5 BW) is led by 11th-year head coach Laura Beeman.
  • The Rainbow Wahine traveled to Bakersfield just a few weeks ago where they were able to secure a 51-47 victory over the `Runners despite being down six points after the first half.
  • Three of the starting Rainbow Wahine against CSUB played at least 33 minutes of the game, with two of them posting double-digit points. Hennie van Schaik's only other career 18 point career high game came during this contest, where she doubled up with 12 rebounds as well.
  • Hawai'i most recently took down Cal State Fullerton 60-54 as part of a three-game win streak. Firmly in control the whole way, the Rainbow Wahine only lost one quarter of that game, while having three double-digit scorers with Daejah Phillips putting up 18 points of her own.
  • Hawai'i sits at fourth in the Big West standings with the third best defense, despite being seventh for offense and having no scorers in the top-10.
How to Follow the `Runners
  • All Big West conference 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

Sophia Tougas

#5 Sophia Tougas

G
6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
Hennie van Schaik

#3 Hennie van Schaik

F
6' 3"
Sophomore
Taylor Caldwell

#11 Taylor Caldwell

G
5' 9"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Sophia Tougas

#5 Sophia Tougas

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Hennie van Schaik

#3 Hennie van Schaik

6' 3"
Sophomore
F
Taylor Caldwell

#11 Taylor Caldwell

5' 9"
Senior
G
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