Sports Editor
After going on a shooting slump in the third quarter, the CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball team found itself behind to Utah Valley University heading into the fourth quarter.
However, the Roadrunners rallied thanks to a 14-0 run and they got their third Western Athletic Conference win as they beat the Wolverines 61-54 on Jan. 30 at the Icardo Center.
Photo by Alejandra Flores/The Runner
“Our defense was really good,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “There (were) times when we still hit those patches of not being able to score. That’s something we got to continue to work on. We don’t want to go that long without scoring, but man, when we do turn it on, you can tell it’s all on defense and then we create some easy baskets.”
CSUB’s (6-16, 3-4 WAC) late fourth quarter run was led by senior forward Batabe Zempare, who had her 28th career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, gave the Roadrunners a push forward and separated themselves from the Wolverines.
“This was huge for our confidence,” said Zempare. “When we got into the locker room I just told everybody every single person played a role in the win.”
The ‘Runners went on a 17-2 run in the fourth quarter and shot 71.4 percent from the field compared to its 25 percent that CSUB shot in the third quarter.
CSUB redshirt-junior Erika Williams had 12 points and three rebounds in the game.
At the 4:35 mark of the fourth quarter, Williams came off a screen set by senior guard Alyssa Shannon, Zempare made a cross-court pass to Williams and had enough space from her defender to knock down a three-pointer.
In the last three games, Williams had a combined 11 points.
“I have had a dry spell over the past, since conference started actually,” said Williams. “They just kept talking to me. Coach is always in my ear, always calling me, talking to me, having me go into his office and it’s just putting in the extra work and getting up shots. I couldn’t stop believing in myself and I couldn’t not shoot the ball.”
The ‘Runners only gave up nine turnovers, while the Wolverines’ committed 19 turnovers.
CSUB led for much of the game up to the third quarter where Utah Valley (10-12, 3-4 WAC) made a surge into CSUB’s lead. The Wolverines went on a 9-1 run to end the third quarter before the ‘Runners were able to put on its good shooting performance in the fourth quarter.
CSUB will play its next conference game against at the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.
