By Esteban Ramirez

Sports Editor

After losing two games on the road, the California State University, Bakersfield women’s basketball team bounced back at home.

On Jan. 24, behind a strong second half, CSUB beat Chicago State University 83-58 in a Western Athletic Conference game at the Icardo Center. The ’Runners (14-6, 2-2 WAC) were able to hold on to a 35-31 lead going into halftime despite only shooting 33 percent and the Cougars (2-15, 0-4 WAC) shooting 57.1 percent, but once the second half the CSUB’s offense was able to get on track.

“[CSUB coach Greg McCall] told us to stay together, bring the effort and go harder,” junior guard Alyssa Shannon said. “At halftime, we got a lecture and we came back and responded.”

CSUB outscored CSU 48-27 in the second half and shot 56.7 percent in that half, while the Cougars shot just 28 percent.

“The first half was a little rocky and a little shaky,” CSUB coach Greg McCall said. “I think the cold gym kind of affected us a little bit, but in the second half we heated up a little bit.”

CSUB was able to push its record of consecutive home wins to 18 and still are undefeated at the Icardo Center (12-0) this year.

“It’s home,” McCall said. “You always feel comfortable at home.”

Redshirt-senior guard Tyonna Outland added 15 points, six assists and four rebounds.

“I think we are moving in the right direction,” Shannon said. “We still got some things we need to fix, but I think we play together and we really love each other as a team.”

On Jan. 22, CSUB beat the University of Missouri-Kansas City 70-67 behind 24 points from Outland, who was also able to break the school’s career scoring record in the process.

With 2:35 left in the first half and with the ’Runners down 28-26 to the Kangaroos, Outland 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.

CSUB trailed at halftime 34-30 and behind timely three-point shots, the ’Runners were able to rally back.

The ’Roos still managed to keep the game close, but down 65-61 they started fouling Shannon and she 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.

On Jan. 17, junior forward Batabe Zempare broke the school’s record for all-time rebounds in women’s basketball. CSUB will play at Seattle University on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m.