The UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team lost 64-67 tonight during an overtime nail-biter against California State University, Bakersfield in its second WAC conference game in the Fieldhouse.
“We spread them out, and we just drive right to the rim and we can’t hit 6-foot jumpers,” Head Coach Larry Tidwell said about overtime play. “How many of those did we miss? We shoot 33 percent on our own court. … Defensively, not a bad job, but again, we didn’t rebound at the end and we didn’t finish.”
The Vaqueras’ overall record is now 10-7 and 0-2 in conference play.
First-quarter play began to a rocky start against the Roadrunners. However, the team rebounded its efforts to outscore Bakersfield in the second quarter, to put them up by eight points at the end of the first half.
In the second half, the visitors outscored the home team by a total of eight points, which tied up their first-half loose ends.
UTRGV forward Laura Van Tilburg led the squad with a career-high 20 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Guard Nichele Hyman contributed to the team’s offensive performance with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Forward Krisynthia Sampson scored eight points of her own, along with five rebounds. Guard Valeria Tapia tallied five points and one rebound.
“As far as the game goes, it comes down to us hitting shots and us taking care of the ball,” Hyman said. “I mean, earlier in the game, we could’ve attacked more.”
The junior guard said the defensive presence of the Roadrunners was something they have not seen this season before.
“I would say they were the most aggressive team we’ve seen defensively, and so we really had to sit down and handle the ball, especially at the point guard,” she said. “Everybody had to handle the ball and the girls had to get open because they were definitely playing hard defense.”
On the Roadrunners side, Jasmine Bartee garnered 13 points and 19 rebounds. Guard Alexxus Gilbert scored a team high 16 points. Forward Aja Williams finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
CSUB’s overall record is 8-8 and 2-0 in conference.
The Vaqueras are looking to bounce back when they take on the Grand Canyon University Antelopes at 7 p.m. Saturday in the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
“I mean, come Saturday, it’s a new ballgame,” Tilburg said. “We will be ready.”
