Reporter

Five players were suspended by the Western Athletic Conference following a 12-player ejection in a brawl between Grand Canyon University and CSU Bakersfield in the Icardo Center Saturday, Feb. 4.

CSUB sophomore guard Alexxus Gilbert received a two-game suspension for fighting and violating the WAC Sportsmanship Policy.

CSUB redshirt-junior forward Tylinn Carter received a one-game suspension for fighting while sophomore forward Jerice Fears has also been suspended for one game for her role in the altercation and leaving the bench.

GCU redshirt-senior forward Marina Laramie and junior guard Zelor Massaquoi have both been suspended for one game for fighting.

On Feb. 4, CSUB (10-11, 5-2 WAC) was holding onto a 45-42 lead in the fourth quarter.

With 8:12 left, Grand Canyon’s Laramie tried to get post position on Carter.

Laramie began shoving with Carter and a scrum ensued, near the Grand Canyon bench. Members from both teams began throwing punches and shoving.

Gilbert and Carter were ejected for fighting.

Laramie and Massaquoi were also ejected for fighting.

CSUB freshmen guards Dalis Jones and Daije Harris, senior center Brittany Sims and junior guard Alize’ Lofton were ejected for leaving the bench, while GCU redshirt-senior center Erika Thomas and senior center Julieh Clark were ejected for leaving the bench.

Two GCU assistant coaches and one athletic trainer were also ejected, while one CSUB assistant coach was disqualified for the rest of the game.

“The Western Athletic Conference was immediately made aware of the situation,” said CSUB Athletic Communications Director Matt Turk.

CSUB head coach Greg McCall was not able to discuss the brawl afterward, due to the WAC still needing to investigate the situation.

After 37 minutes of deliberation, the game resumed and CSUB was left with just six players.

Grand Canyon (12-8, 4-3 WAC) was awarded four free throws for two technical fouls from the CSUB bench. The Antelopes took a 46-45 lead.

However, the Roadrunners responded by going on a 29-13 run to end the game, which 10 of those points came from redshirt-senior forward Erika Williams. CSUB defeated GCU, 74-59.

The 29 points in the fourth quarter were the most by a CSUB team, since the quarter format began a year ago.

“I’m very proud of how they played,” said McCall. “Very gutsy performance and good job of taking care of business here at home.”
McCall added the team knew it had to continue playing after the ejections.

“One thing we kept telling our girls was go out and finish the game, compete and win,” said McCall.

According to Turk, even if CSUB was left with fewer than five players, the game would have continued with however many players were left for the Roadrunners.

CSUB scored 50 of its 74 points in the second half, and shot 60 percent in the half.

This was the Roadrunners’ fourth straight conference win, which puts them third in the conference standings.

“We are very proud of where we are right now,” said McCall. “We’ve done some things very well. We’ve improved as a team, especially defensively. We continue to get better and better offensively. I’m very happy where we are right now. Definitely want to continue climbing the ladder, and continue to improve each day.”

Junior forward Aja Williams led the way with 20 points. Redshirt-junior center Jazmyne Bartee added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Erika Williams finished with 14 points and 7 assists.

Laramie finished with 15 points for the Antelopes.

CSUB is scheduled to play at New Mexico State University Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.