Dec. 21, 2009

Game Notes Cal State Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The RedHawks look to get back on the winning track Tuesday as they conclude their west coast trip with a matchup against Cal State Bakersfield. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. (EST) at the Icardo Center.

THE BIG TRIP: Every year the Miami women’s basketball team tries to take one trip to a different part of the country to challenge teams that it would normally not play, as well as give an educational opportunity for the players. Head coach Maria Fantanarosa often asks her seniors what area they would like to visit and takes that into consideration when scheduling the games (this is usually done when the players are sophomores and juniors, as non-conference scheduling is often done a year or two in advance). The last few years have seen the RedHawks travel to some unique places. In 2008, Miami went to Colorado Springs, Colo. to participate in Air Force’s tournament (which they won). In 2007, San Antonio was the destination for the Wells Fargo/UTSA Classic. Three years ago in 2006, the RedHawks traveled the second farthest they had ever gone before when they went up to Seattle for the Washington Husky Classic (the only time they traveled farther was a 1996 tournament in Hawaii).

MIAMI IN CALIFORNIA: The RedHawks are in the state of California for the first time since Dec. 6-7, 2003 when they participated in the Oakland Tribune Classic in Berkeley, Calif. In that tournament, Miami lost to the host California 81-72 in the opener, before coming back to defeat Wichita State 82-78 in overtime in the consolation game. This is the fourth time in school history that the RedHawks have taken a trip out to the Golden State. In addition to 2003, the other two times were in 1997 and 1999. With the loss against CSUN on Sunday, Miami now holds an all-time record of 2-5 in the state of California.

ABOUT CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners are an independent team that is in its fifth year of the five year process of NCAA Division I transition. Starting next season, they will have full privileges that Miami and other Division I members have, including the right to compete for a conference championship (once they find affiliation) and the ability to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Playing a full Division I schedule, Bakersfield is 5-7 on the year. The Roadrunners play in the style of the old Loyola Marymount teams of the early 1990s in that they want to run and score quickly, and will play aggressive defense going for steals, sometimes giving up layups to the opposing team as a result. They average 77.2 points per game and give up an average of 77.5. This will be the fourth game in seven days for CSUB. On Dec. 16, it dropped a 94-80 decision at Saint Mary’s. Then participating in USC’s holiday tournament Dec. 19-20, it defeated Delaware State in the opener 74-37, before falling to the host Trojans 93-56 the next night. The Roadrunners are led by senior guard Katie Williams, who averages 20.5 points and 4.1 steals per game. Also a big factor for Bakersfield is senior guard Phynique Allen, who averages 15.5 points and 2.7 steals per game.

SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting between the Miami and Cal State Bakersfield.

MIAMI VS. INDEPENDENTS: There aren’t many independents left in NCAA Division I, as teams find the importance of conference affiliation for game scheduling purposes. Several schools also recently formed the Great West Conference, further depleting the independent ranks. Miami last played an independent school last season when it defeated Texas-Pan American 66-44 in the opening round of Air Force’s holiday tournament. UT-Pan American is no longer an independent as it was one of the schools to join the Great West Conference.

UP NEXT FOR THE REDHAWKS: Miami is off for eight days for the holidays. The RedHawks return with two final non-conference home games before beginning MAC play. On Wednesday, Dec. 30, Miami will host Eastern Illinois for a 7 p.m. game at Millett Hall. Then on Sunday, Jan. 3 the two Miami schools will meet for the first time, as the RedHawks will host the University of Miami Hurricanes for a 2 p.m. game.