By Joe Macias

Reporter

It had been 22-straight games since CSU Bakersfield lost in the Icardo Center. In its season opener, the CSUB women’s basketball team gets its 22-game home win streak snapped by University of the Pacific 80-74 on Nov. 13.

“I thought that transition defense killed us,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall. “I think we’re going to be ok. Game one, long season, we got to make sure the wheels stay on the bus and nobody falls off it.”

This is CSUB’s first home loss since Jan. 18, 2014 when they lost to Idaho State University 96-69. The Roadrunners are coming off a 23-9 season 16-0 at home.

CSUB shot 40.9 percent from the floor and only shot 22.2 percent from the three-point line in the second half. Senior forward Batabe Zempare led the Roadrunners on the stat sheet where she had a double-double with 19 points and 19 rebounds.

Although, Zempare gave up 6 turnovers as well. The Roadrunners were struggling with their perimeter defense and trying to keep up with the fast paced perimeter offense that Pacific had. With 35 seconds remaining in the game the score was tied at 74.

That changed as Pacific senior forward Erin Butler made a three-pointer to give the Tigers a 77-74 lead with 29 seconds remaining. Butler had 17 points and 8 rebounds with 5 made three-pointers.

“I think they got a lot of easy buckets,” said McCall. “Pacific, they’re a tough team. We knew that it was going to be tough coming in. Still thought we should’ve been the better team tonight.”

Pacific sophomore guard GeAnna Luaulu-Summers led the team in scoring with 19 points and was one rebound away from a double-double as she grabbed nine boards.

This was the first time the Roadrunners played in a four-quarter format with 10 minutes per quarter. Also, teams will be awarded two free throws for each common foul beginning with the fifth team fouls in a period. There will be no more 1-and-1 free throws.

CSUB will play its next game in Santa Barbara against UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.