Early Second Half Surge Propels Roadrunner Women to Win over CSUDH
January 24, 2003

Courtesy Cal State Bakersfield Sports Information Office

Complete Box Score

BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. -- The 11th-ranked Cal State Bakersfield women’s basketball team played well enough to run their win streak to a school-record 10 games with a 61-40 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday in the Icardo Center.

The Roadrunners (13-1, 8-1 CCAA) assumed a three-game lead in the California Collegiate Athletic Association race with the win and losses by Chico State and Sonoma State Friday night. Dominguez Hills falls to 5-8 and 3-6 in the CCAA.

CSUB didn’t match the Toros’ intensity in the first half but managed a 30-25 lead at the interval thanks in large part to 10 first half points from sophomore Beccie Lutes (Sonora, Calif./Humboldt State).

The second half was a different story as the Roadrunners found a gear the young CSDH squad simply didn’t possess. It took CSUB barely one minute of the second half to get the lead to double digits at 37-27 and the lead only grew from that point.

The ‘Runners put the game away with a stifling defensive effort midway through second half. CSUB held Dominguez Hills without a field goal from the 11:50 mark until there were just 16 second remaining. The defense sparked a 15-0 run which turned a 45-35 lead into a 60-35 advantage.

Senior center Heather Garay (Earlimart, Calif./Humboldt State) led all players with 18 points and 11 rebounds. It was Garay’s eighth consecutive double-double. Lutes and senior guard Diane Dittbuner (Lamar, Colo./Univ. of Northern Colorado) added 14 points each.

Freshman guard Tameka Blue was the only Toro to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points.

CSUB returns to action Saturday, hosting Cal State L.A. in the Icardo Center at 5:30 p.m. Dominguez Hills travel north to play at Cal State Stanislaus Saturday night.