`Runners Go On Road to Play Both Ends of the Standings

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team goes on the road for a pair of games against opponents that the Roadrunners will be playing for the first time this season. Bakersfield first gets a favorable matchup against last placed CSUN before a quick turnaround to play the top of the table Long Beach State. With under a month and just eight games remaining, the `Runners will surely be looking to grab a few more wins before the Big West tournament approaches.

Upcoming Schedule

at CSUN, Thursday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
at Long Beach State, Saturday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m.

Quotes from Head Coach Greg McCall

"CSUN is still going to be a tough opponent. They play with a lot of energy at their place. At this point, it's still about improving and jockeying for position. Everytime we do that, it sets us up to have good momentum, so hopefully we can catch fire again. It doesn't matter who you are in the conference. Anybody can beat anybody. Long Beach State lost to CSUN earlier in the season."
"Both teams are very different and have opposite situations right now, but they're still going to give you everything they got. So, there are really no weaknesses on their teams; what they are weak in on one side, they make up for by being good on the other side."

`Runner Notes

Last time out the `Runners were looking to string together their first set of wins since December. Despite playing tough defense and giving a valiant effort, the `Runners were unable to completely stop the Tritons, who went on to take the 56-42 road victory.
While hoping to have its star freshman, Kayla Morris, back during one of these two upcoming games, Hennie van Schaik has been doing her best to give CSUB a chance every game with double-digit point totals in all but three games she has played this season.
Coming off the loss to a strong UC San Diego team, the `Runners will get both polar ends of the Big West standings in the pair of road games this week. Northridge has lost nine straight and is last place, while Long Beach State has won eight straight and sits at first.
Before taking on the conference's best team, head coach Greg McCall will have the job of keeping his players prepared, with their heads up, as to not play complacently against CSUN.

Scouting the Matadors

CSUN (4-18, 3-9 Big West) is led by first-year head coach Carlene Mitchell.
The matchup between CSUB and CSUN will be a very interesting one. With both teams having identical conference records, CSUB currently has the last place offense while CSUN has the last place defense. The dagger will be who can play above expectations to overcome the other.
CSUN is currently on a nine-game losing skid, with losses to teams that Bakersfield either played very close or beat entirely. However, this also means that Northridge will be in desperation mode looking for just its second win in the new year.
The Matadors last took on UC Santa Barbara and were unable to stage a comeback, losing to the Gauchos 64-61 despite leading scorer Jordyn Jackson putting up 19 points.
Contrary to how the season has looked, CSUN is actually fourth in the Big West for scoring, ahead of even Cal Poly and trailing Hawai'i by a fraction of a point.

Scouting the Sharks

Long Beach State (15-7, 10-2 Big West) is led by sixth-year head coach Jeff Cammon.
On an eight-game win streak, Long Beach State has remained unbeaten since Jan. 7. In that span, only two of those eight games have been won by less that double-digits. The Beach also boast the second-best defense in the league.
Since joining the Big West, CSUB has played all four possible games against the Beach, but unfortunately has also lost all of them to date. The `Runners will not only be looking to get that first win, but more importantly they will be looking to dethrone the current league leader.
In their last game, the Beach narrowly beat UC Irvine on the road after staging a second-half comeback to secure a 52-50 victory.
Leading scorer on the season, Tori Harris, put up 15 points, while Long Beach State also had two other double-digit point scorers. The Beach get a lot of minutes from their top players, as both Harris and Ma'Qhi Berry played all 40 minutes and Kianna Hamilton-Fisher played 38.

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

#15 Kayla Morris: F; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

#15 Kayla Morris
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: F

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

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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`Runners Go On Road to Play Both Ends of the Standings

Players Mentioned

#15 Kayla Morris

#3 Hennie van Schaik

Players Mentioned

#15 Kayla Morris

#3 Hennie van Schaik