Roadrunners smother UMKC in record-setting day

Juan Rodriguez

January 30, 2017

Freshman forward Aja Williams goes up for a layup at the Icardo Center on Saturday, Jan. 28. Photo by Trevante Hammonds/The Runner

Reporter

The CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball team defeated the University of Missouri-Kansas City 52-33 in a record-setting defensive effort for its third consecutive win in Western Athletic Conference play Saturday, Jan. 28.

With only 33 points allowed, the Roadrunners (9-11, 4-2 WAC) set a record for least amount of points allowed in a women’s basketball game in school history.

The previous low for points points allowed in a game was 36 against Utah Valley University on Dec. 9, 2009.

CSUB got off to a slow start that was filled with turnovers and defensive lapses that allowed UMKC (6-14, 1-6 WAC) to open up an early lead.

However, the Roadrunners showed resolve and took their first lead with just under nine minutes to go in the second quarter.

The Roadrunners limited UMKC to only 28 percent shooting on the afternoon.

“We hang our hat on our defense,” said CSUB coach Greg McCall.

The Roadrunners struggled with finding the bottom of the net as well, going a combined 10 for 32 from the floor in the first half.

Redshirt-sophomore guard Jazmine Johnson grabbed an offensive rebound then quickly gathered herself and put the ball up over a leaping UMKC defender to give the Roadrunners a 21-20 lead at halftime.

Johnson scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds off the bench for CSUB.

Early in the third quarter, redshirt-senior forward Erika Williams hit a pair of three-pointers.

They were the first three-point field goals of the game for CSUB. Williams finished with 12 points and 4 assists.

“Once we move the ball, it is hard to stop us,” said McCall.

The Kangaroos were held to just 13 points in the second half and shot only 1 for 13 in the fourth quarter.

CSUB was led by redshirt-junior center Jazmyne Bartee, who poured in 14 points along with 12 rebounds. The Chandler, Arizona native now has three consecutive double-doubles.

“It’s clicking now, we know where we’re at on the floor,” said Williams.

The Roadrunners are scheduled to take on Grand Canyon University on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Icardo Center to finish up their three-game home stand.