Bakersfield 77, Canyons 72:
The last time the 16th-ranked BC women’s basketball (21-4 overall, 10-3 Western State Conference – South) was down at half this season prior to last night was once again vs. this very same College of the Canyons team (16-12, 6-7 WSC).
In the last meeting, the Renegades trailed the Cougars going into the break 34-31, but four starters finishing in double-figures led to a 42-point second half retaliation and giving the ladies a 73-59 victory.
In Wednesday night’s contest, the Cougars set the tone early as they went into the break with a 36-32 lead.
Once again however, the Renegades (looking for their sixth win in a row) showed resilience as they clawed out and past the Cougars.
Despite sending Canyons to the line 34 times, Bakersfield forced 29 turnovers, which played a huge role late in the game as BC’s full-court press was perfectly executed and led to easy baskets on the other end.
For Canyons, Monica Friedl led the team with 20 points and nine rebounds while Qimmah Russo added 18.
On the Renegades side, it was once again Nakia Page who led the team with 28 points and nine rebounds, but Claesey Tarver kept the Renegades in it early with her 14 points and Alex Green’s late free throw shooting to seal it.
With all the success on the road the Renegades women’s basketball team has endured, it has become time to close this season out at home where an outright Western State Conference title will be determined after earning a share last night with both Bakersfield and Antelope Valley (16-11, 9-4 WSC) College winning.
Antelope Valley did win the previous meeting on Jan. 28 68-63, but the stage is set higher on Saturday and so are the stakes.
“Isn’t that awesome,” head coach Paula Dahl said emotionally. “Last game of the season, beat AVC and we’re the conference champs – solo… that’s what college basketball is all about and that’s what we want.”
WSC-South Standings:
- Bakersfield (21-4, 10-3)
- Antelope Valley (16-11, 9-4)
- Santa Monica (17-10, 8-5)
- A. Valley (14-14, 7-6)
- Canyons (16-12, 6-7)
- Glendale (11-16, 6-7)
- Citrus (11-15, 4-9)
- West L.A. (6-18, 2-11)