By Esteban Ramirez
Sports Editor
Behind a record-breaking night from redshirt-senior guard Tyonna Outland, the California State University, Bakersfield women’s basketball team beat University of Missouri-Kansas City 70-67 at the Icardo Center on Jan. 22.
With 2:35 left in the first half and with the ’Runners (13-6, 2-2 Western Athletic Conference) down 28-26 to the Kangaroos, Outland, who finished with 24 points, broke the CSUB women’s basketball all-time scoring record with a layup on a fastbreak, and passed former ’Runner Katie McElree (1,798). McElree, who played from 2002-2006 held that record for almost nine years.
“Honestly I wasn’t even thinking about it, I was just thinking about getting the lead because we were on a run at that time,” Outland said. “It wasn’t even crossing my mind. It was great and an honor to get [the congratulatory video] from Katie. A lot of attention really makes me nervous even cameras, but it was a great honor. It was exciting and words can’t explain how I felt at the time.”
Outland said that it was a goal of hers to break this record when she first came to CSUB.
“It’s great to know that my goals that I put forward, my long-term goals and my short-term goals are actually coming through. It just makes me think that hard work is paying off and things that I’m praying for are coming true.”
CSUB coach Greg McCall said he was very proud of Outland.
“There are a lot of teams that have good players and we have Ty,” McCall said. “She has taken so much on her shoulders and sacrifices, and everything she has right now she definitely deserves. I’m glad that she’s happy and I’m glad that this is behind her. She is a special player, and to me she is the best player in CSUB’s history.”
Despite what was already a momentous night for CSUB, the ’Runners found themselves trailing to the Kangaroos at halftime, 34-30. Their struggles continued in the second half as they trailed 47-40 with 10:45 left in the game, but then Outland and redshirt-sophomore guard Erika Williams hit back-to-back three pointers to cut the lead to 47-46. Once again proving that it was her night, Outland scored on a layup to give them their first lead of the second half.
Though the ’Runners never relinquished the lead, the ’Roos were able to stay in the game thanks to sophomore guard Calli White, who finished with 27 points.
With UMKC down 65-61 and only 45 seconds left in the game, the Kangaroos started to foul the ’Runners’ junior guard Alyssa Shannon. Shannon made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 45 seconds to close out the game for CSUB.
“Luckily, coach has us doing free throws every day at practice, and he stresses on us how important free throws are,” said Shannon, who finished 24 points and went 11-of-13 from free throw line. “When I step to the line, I just have confidence in myself, and I know my teammates and my coaches have confidence in me so I just step to the line and knock them down.
“I was surprised that they didn’t try to double-team me or prevent me from getting the ball, but ultimately, we have so many weapons on the floor.”
CSUB also broke the record for consecutive home wins with 17 and is now 11-0 at the Icardo Center this year.
McCall added he was excited about the win.
“It was a tough win,” McCall said. “Coming off of two road losses and sometimes that can take a mental toll on you, and you kind of could see it because we were battling uphill. But I knew deep down that we had what we needed to win. I’m very proud of our young ladies today. We could’ve easily hung our heads and tucked our tails and folded but they didn’t. They wanted this really bad.”
CSUB will play Chicago State University at the Icardo Center on Jan. 24.
