Cal Women's Basketball: Cal WBB looks to get back on track at home against CSU-Bakersfield

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Published Nov 29, 2020

Cal WBB looks to get back on track at home against CSU-Bakersfield

Ben Parker • GoldenBearReport

Golden Bear Report

@slamdunk406

Today at 2:00 PM PST, Cal women’s basketball will welcome the CSU-Bakersfield Roadrunners to Haas Pavilion. Cal comes into the game at 0-1 while CSU-Bakersfield is playing their first game of the season. The game will be available to watch on Cal Live Stream.

Last time out: On Wednesday, Cal lost their opening game of the season at home to San Jose State by a final score of 56-48. Cal freshman forward Dalayah Daniels had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

RECAP: Cal WBB falls in home opener to San Jose State

On CSU-Bakersfield: Previously competing in the WAC, the Roadrunners are playing their first season as members of the Big West and are picked to finish eighth in the conference according to the Big West media poll. Last season, they went 16-13 overall and 8-8 in the WAC. The Roadrunners’ top player from last season, forward Jayden Eggleston (11.8 points & 5.8 rebounds) is now a redshirt junior and looks to build on her successful sophomore season.

Judging by their stats from last season, the Roadrunners are a pretty run of the mill mid-major team. They averaged a -0.6 rebounding margin, shot 37.1% from the field, 26.3% from 3-point range, and 68.7% from the free throw line. There’s nothing they do very well and quite honestly, it’s not like there’s anything that they are even solid at. When looking at their profile, it’s not a big shock that they’re picked to finish close to the bottom of the Big West.

Keys to the game: If Cal is to win this game, the first thing they need to do is take advantage of their size inside. Given the fact that they some talented forwards who can crash the glass in Dalayah Daniels, Evelien Lutje Schipholt, Fatou Samb, and Ugonne (Michelle) Onyiah, this Bears team should dominate the boards and get a lot of easy baskets inside while also not allowing the Roadrunners to get many second chance shot opportunities.

The second key to this game for Cal is to get out to an early lead and not give it up. This was a problem against San Jose State. Cal led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter only to take a 23-19 lead into halftime. If Cal is to win this game, they have to get out to a strong start and not let the Roadrunners get any sort of life.

Finally, Cal needs to shoot the ball better. This is a really simple key to the game, but an essential one. Cal shot a pathetic 30.8% from the field against San Jose State and a feeble 28.6% from 3-point range. If Cal’s shooting woes continue against CSU-Bakersfield, this game could be a lot closer than it should be.