`Runners Host Big West's Top Two Before Tournament

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With only a pair of regular season home games remaining against Long Beach State and UC Irvine, the Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team is preparing for a few important events. On Saturday, the Roadrunners honor both Taylor Caldwell and Soli Herrera during Senior Day before traveling to Henderson, Nev. for the Big West Basketball Championship.

Upcoming Schedule

vs Long Beach State, Thursday, Mar. 2, 7 p.m.
vs UC Irvine, Saturday, Mar. 4, 2 p.m.

Quotes from Head Coach Greg McCall

On going to the Big West Championship: "You prepare for anything. You know that there's an opportunity to play one of the lower seeded teams from the beginning. Almost every game we've played this year has been close at points, but sometimes a neutral court makes a huge difference, so we'll see."
On playing No. 1 and 2 before the tournament: "It's helpful to see the top two teams now, because if we advance to the next round, we'll have an opportunity to play them again. It's not like we'll have a long waiting period to see who to play next. If we win in the first round, we'll have to adjust very quickly."

`Runner Notes

Last week, Sophia Tougas earned Academic All-District honors and Associate Head Coach Xavier Johnson was selected to the first annual WBCA Next Generation Institute. This week, Taylor Caldwell and Soli Herrera will be honored on Senior Day.
In the final road game, the `Runners came up against Cal State Fullerton, but were unable to steal victory from the Titans in Fullerton despite a valiant comeback effort, losing 44-57.
Hennie van Schaik scored 10 quick points through the first 15 minutes of the game, but things slowed down, and she finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds as one of CSUB bright spots.
Grace Hunter and Soli Herrera were key in keeping the `Runners alive. Hunter stepped up to convert 5-of-8 field goals for 11 points while Herrera contributed 8 boards in 23 minutes.
UC Riverside at CSUB are neck-and-neck at the bottom of the standings. These next two games will determine whether the `Runners go into the tournament as the No. 9 or 10 seed.

Scouting the Beach

Long Beach State (21-7, 16-2 Big West) is led by sixth-year head coach Jeff Cammon.
Since joining the Big West, CSUB is 0-5 against the Beach, but Greg McCall and his team will be looking to pull off an upset after playing LBSU close last time.
In that game, the Roadrunners grabbed an 11-point lead by the break before Long Beach State flipped that to a win of the same amount as the Beach took the 66-55 victory.
Sophia Tougas had a monster game, with a career high 18 points, while Taylor Caldwell also put up a career high, and CSUB D1 top-10, 9 assists for the `Runners. CSUB's Hennie van Schaik also scored 17 points.
Since beating CSUB, the Beach have extended their win streak to fourteen straight, including a recent 87-76 win at CSUN.

Scouting the Anteaters

UC Irvine (22-5, 14-2 Big West) is led by seventh-year head coach Tamara Inoue
Although UCI holds the 4-1 record over CSUB since the `Runners joined the Big West, Bakersfield played the Anteaters quite close last December.
In just CSUB's second conference game of the season, the `Runners pushed UCI to the brink, losing by just two possessions in a thwarted second-half comeback attempt.
Hennie van Schaik came back from an injury to tally 12 points in just 28 minutes of play, while Soli Herrera was a big help in the rebounding game with 9 boards.
Irvine has gone on to enjoy a successful season, currently sitting at second place in the Big West standings. Last time out, the Anteaters beat Hawai'i in a 68-66 overtime thriller.

How to Follow the `Runners

CSUB's final Big West conference games are available on ESPN+.
Join us in sending off both teams on Monday, Mar. 6 at 1pm in front of the Icardo Center!
All Big West Basketball Championship games will be 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.
CSUB Single-game Tickets and tickets for the Big West Basketball Championship are available now. Visit GoRunners.com/Tickets or call 661-654-BLUE or 661-654-GOLD for more information.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#13 Soli Herrera: C; 6' 3"; Senior

#5 Sophia Tougas: G; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#13 Soli Herrera
: 6' 3"; Senior
: C

#5 Sophia Tougas
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#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

Next Event

`Runners Host Big West's Top Two Before Tournament

Players Mentioned

#13 Soli Herrera

#5 Sophia Tougas

#3 Hennie van Schaik

#4 Grace Hunter

#11 Taylor Caldwell

Players Mentioned

#13 Soli Herrera

#5 Sophia Tougas

#3 Hennie van Schaik

#4 Grace Hunter

#11 Taylor Caldwell