Reporter

Coming off a successful season, the CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball team looks to repeat what it did last year and improve on its postseason play.

“Trying to keep the bulk of your players healthy is really key for preseason and conference and then postseason,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “The more students we have, the louder it is the more excited our girls will be. Just having that support is huge.”

Last year, the Roadrunners (23-9, 11-3 Western Athletic Conference) won their first round game in the 2015 WAC Tournament against Chicago State University, 71-63.

In the semi-finals, they lost to University of Texas-Pan American University, 76-70. CSUB earned an invitation to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for its successful season.

The Roadrunners fell short in a loss to UCLA in the first round 70-54. CSUB set a Division I school record with 23 wins last season. The Roadrunners are in a position to increase their 22-game home winning streak.

Despite CSUB losing its all-time scorer Tyonna Outland, who averaged 19.7 points per game, the Roadrunners return some top players.

“Our main goal is to win (the) WAC championship,” said senior forward Batabe Zempare. “I consider myself the best player in the conference so I work like I’m the best player in the conference.”

Zempare is the all-time leading rebounder for CSUB (813). She was selected to the preseason first team All-Conference by CollegeSportsMadness.com.

“I think we were successful last year because everyone bought in to what the coaches and the coaching staff had to say,” said senior guard Alyssa Shannon. “Now I’m just really focused on really trying to do what I need to do to help my team get to the WAC Championship and for us to get to the NCAA (tournament).”

CSUB will begin its road to the WAC Championship against University of the Pacific on Nov. 13 in the Icardo Center at 7 p.m.