Sabel hits for 24 as UC Davis runs all over Cal State Bakersfield in Big West women's basketball
21-0 run in the first half leads to an easy victory on the road
BAKERSFIELD - UC Davis used a standout first-half defense to break open a tight game, then ran away from Cal State Bakersfield for a convincing 66-45 Big West Conference women's basketball win Thursday night before a gathering of 399 at the Icardo Center.
The win broke a two-game UCD losing streak and moved the Aggies to 16-10 overall and 10-6 in conference, while Bakersfield fell to 2-14 and 2-24.
More importantly, the result kept alive the Aggies' hopes for a top four seed in the conference tournament March 12-15 in Henderson, Nevada.
The Aggies currently sit in fourth place, behind Hawaii at 13-2, UC Irvine at 11-4 and UC San Diego at 10-5. Long Beach State is close behind at 9-6.
Seeds 1 and 2 earn a double bye in the eight-team tournament, while seeds 3 and 4 earn a single bye.
The tournament champion earns the Big West's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Hard-luck Bakersfield appeared ready to give the Aggies a battle on the Roadrunners' home floor, matching UCD score for score until the game was tied at 9.
Then the roof caved in.
The Aggies ran off the next 21 points while holding the Roadrunners scoreless for nearly nine minutes, effectively ending all mystery about the final outcome.
Bria Shine started the onslaught with a 3-pointer, then Tova Sabel hit from short range and Ryann Bennett hit another trey.
Sydney Burns accounted for the next seven points all by herself, followed by a personal six-point run from Sabel.
Sabel finished with 24 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Burns had nine points and Nya Epps added eight.
The Aggie women complete their weekend road trip with a 2 p.m. date at Cal State Northridge, then come home for the final time March 1 for a 2 p.m. Senior Day battle with league-leading Hawaii, now 13-2 in the Big West.
In other conference action Thursday night, UC Irvine raced to a 61-17 halftime lead and crushed Northridge, 100-56, UC San Diego dropped Cal Poly, 66-49, UC Santa Barbara ran over Cal State Fullerton, 80-56, and Long Beach State edged UC Riverside, 75-69.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com