California State University, Bakersfield
February 10, 2021
Vol. 47, No. 2
CSUB celebrates Black history By Zeltzin EstradaRodriguez Reporter Hoda Huzaibi, Associated Students Inc’s director of diversity and inclusion, believes that Black History is American History. To Huzaibi, Black History––specifically, in the United States’ education system–– is not heavily regarded in the way it should be. “Some parts of [Black History] are not stressed enough,” Huzaibi said. CSU Bakersfield recognizes and celebrates Black History Month every February. Provided the unfortunate situation that happened November of 2020 when ASI’s former Vice President of Campus Life, Nadia Mendoza-Mendez, made divisive, racist remarks to one of our own Black students, it seems important that the school make it an impressive celebration. In the wake of the social revolution that sparked May of 2020 with the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of George Floyd and the U.S.’s first Black and female Vice President, Kamala Harris, the celebration and education of Black History is seemingly even more valuable than ever. Darius Riggins, Director of University Outreach and co-chair for the Black Faculty and Staff Association at CSUB, has been working closely with fellow co-chair Tamar Anthony to organize a remarkable Black History Month. The surge of the Black Lives Matter movement certainly had an impact on their goals for the celebration this year. “It definitely was a motivator because there’s so many issues you could tackle in the Black community,” Riggins said. “When it comes to Black Lives Matter and Black
History Month, there also is a connection in terms of relevancy and keeping in mind that history and those things that have happened in the past are still relevant today and should be talked about and not forgotten.” Riggins elaborated on the police brutality incident of Rodney King that sparked an uprising while he was in college and likened it to what still happens today as shown by the more recent police brutality stories of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin. Though Riggins emphasizes that it is important to recognize the repetitions of brutal incidents such as those that exist in Black history so that such issues can be overcome in the Black community, he also indicates that it is equally as important to learn about the positive, powerful
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myself...It really does feel good to learn these things because they’re not taught to you. And then you learn self-respect through the process,” Madrid said. Thus, Riggins, Anthony, and Campus Programming made it a point to incorporate many events that positively uplift the Black community and that educate those who attend the events about Black History in an inclusive and effective manner. On the itinerary, you will also see that it asserts 2021 as the “Year of the Black Woman,” highlighting CSUB’s attempt to put an emphasis on the even more hidden history of Black women. “Women are already a minority,” Huzaibi said, “So, for us to focus on Black women is extremely important because it’s like
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they have a struggle from both sides. So, they’re not only struggling because they are a woman, but they are also struggling because they are Black.” In the same vein, Riggins said, “I as a Black man, I also want to make sure that I’m understanding the wonderful contributions that women have made. Why? Because most of the contributions and accomplishments and big-time people that are all celebrated are all men...I would be a fool to think that there were not significant women that have done wonderful things as well.” During this month of appreciation and celebration, we can expect appearances from Grammy-nominated jazz musician Jarret Johnson, well-renowned actress and comedian Amanda Seales, and CSUB’s own
educators as they provide talks concerning race and ethnicity in education and the world in general. For a more detailed itinerary of what CSUB has prepared for Black History month, check your CSUB email for an email from ORG-diversity that provides a PDF version of the calendar, or check out the Black Faculty and Staff Association’s webpage on our institution’s website. Riggins advised to look out for updates to the calendar. Updates would include new or changed Zoom links and potentially new events. Huzaibi also disclosed that she is working on organizing a Black History trivia game night—perhaps also with a guest speaker— that will take place sometime this month.
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moments and accomplishments that are a part of Black history. “You have cultures and communities— and in this case we are talking about the black community— who may experience things or do things never even knowing that someone from their community helped create it or was a part of it or something, and that could lead to inspiration,” Riggins said. Hakeem Madrid, a Black student who is now senior at CSUB, agrees with Huzaibi’s and Riggins’ remarks. “In high school they teach you the bland, basic...you glance over these topics and conversations and like once that chapter is done then that’s kind of it. You don’t speak about it ever again. So, um, a lot of things I had to teach
News
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The Runner
February 10, 2021
CARES funding, new degree announced in Academic Senate By Danielle Coryell Reporter In the first Academic Senate meeting of the spring 2021 semester, CSU Bakersfield’s President Lynnette Zelezny announced that eligible students may receive more CARES Act funds “by the end of the month.” CARES Act were also distributed to CSUB students in the spring 2020 semester. The Senate members also passed the proposal for a Bachelor of Science in Public Health to be added to CSUB’s list of degree programs offered. The meeting started in a way only acceptable in today’s COVID times, Depart-
ment Chair of Economics and the Chair of the Academic Senate, Aaron Hegde, bobbing his head to the anthem of the pandemic, the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive.” Hegde began the meeting by acknowledging the hard work of Beth Bywaters, the Administrative Analyst of the Academic Senate, who played a large part in getting the new website up and running. Hegde then welcomed Associate Professor of Accounting, Di Wu, who will be taking over John Stark’s position on the Senate while he is on sabbatical. Zelezny, gave an update of what has been happening since the last meeting. Zele-
zny introduced a new cabinet member, Ronnie Gomez, spoke about virtual advocacy week at the state capital, and a meeting with the women’s caucus. Zelezny then talked about Governor Newsom’s proposed budget, stating it was “better than we expected it would be,” but that CSUB will still need to,“be frugal.” Zelezny also mentioned that CSU Chancellor, Joseph Castro, does not want to consider a tuition increase for the next academic year or furloughs of CSUB staff. Zelezny spoke about how CSUB is applying to become a vaccination distribution site and how this is a lengthy process that requires staff training
and extra insurance. Zelezny then announced the creation of the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee and she encouraged Senate members to give those on the committee their feedback on anything regarding the strategic plan. Antje Lauer, a CSUB biology professor and the campus Faculty Coordinator for Sustainability, spoke about the newly revamped committee. Lauer hopes to bring new faces, ideas, and implementations to sustainability on campus. Lauer mentions what has been done in the past through either the old committee or by the staff in the Sustainability office.
Some of these include the solar panels, the food pantry, the edible garden, and the electric car charging stations. Lauer also remarks that there is still a lot of work that can be done to make CSUB a leader in sustainability. Lauer offers suggestions such as removing water wasting turf, controlling the campus rodent problem, more recycling efforts, and possibly using grey water. Lauer reminded everyone that climate change is a real issue and that in the coming years may become the next big news story. Vernon Harper, CSUB’s Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, spoke about the planning for fall 2021. Harp-
er talked about parallel pathways which would allow instructors to teach in person as well as online. Harper also mentioned the Flex Attendance Model which he explained as teaching in a classroom with students in attendance but also being able to teach those who are watching online, simultaneously. The Academic Senate meets every other Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. The next meeting will be on Feb. 18, 2021. To request a link to the Zoom meeting email Beth Bywaters, the Administrative Analyst for the Academic Senate, at ebywaters@ csub.edu.
CSUB to become COVID-19 vaccination site before end of spring 2021 semester By Rosa Salazar Assistant News Editor According to CSU Bakersfield Chief of Police Marty Williamson, there is a plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations on campus to students and the public. This latest development was announced in the Associated Students Inc. virtual board meeting held on Feb. 5 via Zoom. “The bigger task we have taken on, the [president] has authorized us to move forward and become an, or at least attempt to become a vaccination site, a point of distribution. We are well into the application process,” Williamson said. Williamson said he hopes that by the end of February to the beginning of March the university could get approval from the state to become a vaccination site. The plan is to use the Student Recreation Center as the place of distribution on Fridays and distribute an estimate of 100 vaccines per day. Willamson said CSUB students and staff will be a priority to receive the vaccine when it becomes available. Williamson added that it would be by appointment
only. Williamson said he hopes CSUB will have a COVID testing site by Feb. 16. ASI also discussed updates on student clubs and organizations during the meeting. The psychology club at CSUB will have its first official meeting on Feb. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students interested in joining the club or applying for leadership positions can contact the club at org-psyclub@csub.edu for more information. An Academic Senate report was also given during the meeting. According to Charles C.Y. Lam, a member of the organization, the Senate, passed a resolution on the proposal for a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Additionally, the Senate is working on a patent policy that will protect the intellectual property of both students and faculty. The proposal for the establishment of the department of ethics studies is ongoing. According to Sarah Hendrick, Director of Alumni Engagement, there is going to be the Alumni Rising Runner events set to take place every day next week
during Homecoming week at noon. As part of Black History month, CSUB will be hosting several events including Harambee and Healing which will take place on Feb. 9. “It’s a coming together as a community to provide support in challenging times,” Afaf Aldhulay, Coordinator of Campus Programming, said. Jarrett Johnson, guest speaker and performer, is set to attend the “Music and Black Culture” event via Zoom on Feb. 10. Multiple events centering the Black experience and the history of Black Americans will be available virtually to CSUB students throughout the month of February. More information on the university’s celebration of Black History Month can be found on the campus programming webpage on the CSUB website. Homecoming week will begin on Feb. 19. The flyer for the list of events can be found on the CSUB website. `Runners interested in running for homecoming court can apply until Feb. 14 on the CSUB website under the homecoming webpage.
Features
The Runner
February 10, 2021
3
Taking the Virtual Stage
Local theater Zooms into your living room Kaleigh Day Features Writer In a time when the word “unprecedented” has made what feels like a permanent home in email greetings and the news cycle, it’s no surprise that people are turning to the arts for comfort. Seeing famous bands playing on Facebook Live sessions and movies premiering via streaming services is nothing new. It’s this same thought process that has brought live theatre into the homes of many since the start of the pandemic. In their last production, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Bakersfield Community Theatre presented the Christmas classic as a radio play. Similarly, The Ovation put on “Home for the Holidays Concert” and “A Christmas Carol” via their website. The Empty Space, a local theatre company, has also undergone drastic changes due to COVID-19 concerns. Their latest show, “The takes its audience on a journey from the comfort of home.” This series of four one-act plays has a run time of a little under two hours and each piece is written and directed by members of the team at The Empty Space. “Loving Fae,’’ written by Violet Rae and directed by Shelbe McClain, transports the audience to a mystical world where an enchanted new love blossoms with the help of friends. In “Magic Mirror,” written by Mendy McMasters and directed by Bethany Lahammer, strangers consult a gas station bathroom mirror only to find that what they want isn’t always what they need. After this, the audience comes face-to-face with the villains of Arkham in their pursuit of revenge in “Asylum,” written by
“These shows are meant to break the wall while being as safe as possible.” Maya Blackstone, local actor
Image from The Empty Space Theatre Instagram Above from left to right: Julia Stanley, Yasmin Marcelo, Holly Rockwood, Cameron Kovac, and Salvador Vidaurri.
to anticipate your line cues and almost start talking on top of each other for it to flow smoothly. Otherwise, there are lots of long pauses,” Marcelo said. Furthermore, by making theatre viewable through Zoom, this production is exemplary of the ways in which the arts can bring a community closer together while offering a sanctuary from every day monotony. For Maya Blackstone, a thirdyear CSU Bakersfield Theatre major who plays “Willow” in “Loving Fae,” the goal of this form of live theatre allows theatre to be much more accessible. “When the pandemic started, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy not being in the same room as the audience. That’s one of the biggest reasons that I love to be on stage. But as time went on I think we all [actors] went ‘yeah, let’s do this.’ These shows are meant to break the wall while being as safe as possible,” Blackstone said. To Marcelo, this is an opportunity for the community to become more involved with their local creators. “I’ve gravitated more towards the arts during quarantine; I’ve been acting and singing much more online. I hope that these virtual shows allow audiences to grow in their appreciation of the arts and maybe even get involved,” Marcelo said. Be on the lookout for The Empty Space’s upcoming drive-in event, “Drive-In Live!” This onenight only, socially-distanced variety show will take place on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Get a taste of LOCAL THEATER The Empty Space
esonline.org Instagram: @theemptyspace
Ovation Theatre Image from The Empty Space Theatre Instagram Above from left to right: Victoria Almos, Madison Shuck, Maya Blackstone and Jovani Morales.
Alan B. Smithee and directed by Tray Jordan. The show then rounds out with “Zoom of Doom,” written by Mark A. Fisher and directed by Emma Jordan Scott, which depicts a video call between the four horsemen of the apocalypse which goes awry due to technical difficulties. This production offered a whimsical escape from the chaos of the world while remaining grounded in reality.
Whether the audience was looking for an escape or hoping to sort out the difficult trials of themselves and their communities with compassion, these four plays tackle it all. This non-traditional format allowed the cast to get particularly creative with their physical delivery, costumes, and even sound and sets. Despite being in their own homes, each cast had impeccable chemistry and delivery; the antics of “Asylum” involved sev-
eral high-energy characters who never missed a beat. “Loving Fae” featured cast members with ethereal backdrops and special effect make up that looked extremely professional. Yasmin Marcelo, who portrayed “Famine” in “The Zoom of Doom”, said that these difficulties were some of the most challenging she’s encountered. “It’s very odd doing a production on Zoom because you have
theovationtheatre.com Instagram: @theovationtheatre
Bakersfield Community Theatre bctstage.org Instagram: @bctstage
Stars Theatre
Web: bmtstars.com Instagram: @bmt_stars
The Gaslight Melodrama themelodrama.com Instagram: @gaslight-
Food
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The Runner
February 10, 2021
Thai take-out at home
Tofu Dumplings
Garlic Thai Shrimp
Chase Anderson Features Editor
Spencer Shepard Food Editor
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Serving: 4 to 5 people (6 to 7 if eaten as an appetizer) Ingredients: 16 ounces of extra firm tofu 1 tablespoon of minced garlic 1 tablespoon of ginger root 3-4 bell peppers (a mixture of red, yellow, and orange) 1 container of mushrooms (shitake preferred, but use whatever kind you like) 1 bundle of cilantro 4 tablespoons of oil (your choice of oil with half for 1 teaspoon of sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 2 table spoons of soy sauce 1 teaspoon of garlic chili sauce 1 teaspoon mirin (optional, cuts some of the saltiness and heat from the other sauces) Fresh cracked black pepper to your tase 1 package of square or round dumpling wrappers (usually found in the vegan section of produce with the tofu) The first step with making dumplings is assembling the filling and for this, I start by chopping my veggies. Now when chopping your bell peppers, the first step is to give them a good rinse to remove any residue that may be on them. When chopping your peppers, you want to first cut them at the top where the stem is, leaving your entire hollowed pepper, and remove from the inside the white ribs and seeds. Then from there slice your pepper in half. Now, this is the tricky part if you are not savvy with your knife-handling skills. You want to cut your halved pepper into juliennes, or thin strips. Once you have julienned your peppers you now want to dice them in fine pieces. Following chef Shepard’s safety tip, bundle your julienned peppers together and dice them into fine pieces that should be about a centimeter long. Now, you are going to do pretty much the same thing to your mushrooms. Chop your whole mushrooms into thinner sections, kind of like you would see on a salad or pizza. Then, like your
Thai food is known for its use of fresh herbs and spices. Additionally, Thai food has a combination of four key flavors: sweet, salty, sour and bitter. This combination balances well together to give you that distinctive taste of Thailand. Thai food is a culmination of flavors that creates a fifth ingredient called umami, a Japanese word that refers to the essence of deliciousness. (Shrimp can be substituted with other types of protein or vegetarian option)
peppers, cut them into strips, I do not think this is considered a julienne, and then dice those into fine pieces. Now once you have done this you can chop up your cilantro. When using them as a part of the cooking, like we are here, stems are acceptable and add to that lemony flavor as they cook down and soften. When stems are not acceptable is when using cilantro as part of a side or garnish, such as in pico de gallo or when garnished on top of a dish. That is when the firm texture and sharp flavor of the raw stem are undesirable. Stems or not stems here is your call, for this I, leave them in. Bunch up your cilantro and give it a fine chop. When finely chopping herbs, I find the best technique is to pinch and hold down the edge of your knife, watch your fingers, and rock you knife up and down over the herbs a few times. Now that all your veggies are ready to go you want to sauté just for 3-4 minutes to not cook them down but just to draw out the flavors and soften them up. Heat your oil and add in some minced, or finely chopped, garlic and ginger. After about 20-30 seconds, before your garlic browns, add in your veggies, cilantro and your soy sauce, mirin, garlic chili paste, and sesame oil. Once sautéed set it to the side. Finally, we can assemble our filling. In a large bowl, crumble your tofu into fine pieces, add-in your veggies, add in your sesame seed, and mix well. Filling and assembling is the part that takes some patience. The technique you use to seal them is completely up to you. To start, take your wrapper in your palm, use a teaspoon to dump a
portion of your filling in the middle, rub the sides of the wrapper, and either press or fold the dumpling together. There are many ways that you can fold or seal your dumplings, so the best way would maybe watch a YouTube tutorial and try out different techniques. Let’s cook! Heat some oil and place them on your pan so they do not touch, this is to avoid them cooking and sticking together. After the bottom browns and develops a crust add a couple of tablespoons of water and cover with a lid for 5 minutes. What you want to get from this process is a crunchy base with the rest of the dumpling being soft and moist. Repeat the process until you have your desired amount. I like to use a nice sweet and sour sauce as a dip, along with soy sauce and garlic chili sauce. If I am eating this as a meal rather than just a side I serve it with some white rice and red romaine leaves.
Start to finish: 60 minutes Servings: 4 to 5 people Ingredients: 16-ounce deveined and peeled shrimp 1 freshly peeled clove of garlic 1 tablespoon chili garlic paste 2 teaspoons fish sauce 1 bunch scallion 1 tablespoon honey 1 red bell pepper 1 head broccoli 1 cup rice Water (measured according to the rice used) 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 cup sliced mushrooms ½ cup crushed pineapple 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Directions: The shrimp should be thawed out completely so marinade properly work. In a mixing bowl mix the shrimp with the chili paste, fish sauce, and honey and cover once the ingredients are properly incorporated. Set aside and refrigerate until needed. Begin by measuring out the rice and pour into a 4-quart pot. Once the rice is in the pot, you will want to rinse the rice at room temperature to remove any debris that can be found in the rice. After the rice is rinsed, pour the appropriate amount of water for cooking your selected rice. This can be found on the back of the box of rice. As the rice cooks, you will begin prepping the other raw ingredients. In a second 4-quart pot, heat up water to a rapid boil. Once a boil is
Photos by Spencer Shepard /The Runner
reached, add the tablespoons of Kosher salt to the water. This will be for your broccoli. Firstly, rough chop your garlic and shallots for a sauté. Discard the root system of the shallots. Only the bottom white part of the shallots will be used right now, so the green part of the shallot can be chopped and set aside for later. Next, you will begin by julienning (cut uniformly into the length of a matchstick) the red bell pepper. First, begin by cutting the base and top of the bell pepper while removing stem and seeds. Then, slice vertically so you can remove the ribs (the whitish part on the inside) and seeds. Now, that the bell pepper is opened, you can properly julienne the bell pepper by vertically slicing it into matchstick-sized pieces. For the broccoli, slice off the bottom 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem. (Try for above the base of the leaves.) Remove any stiff or discolored leaves, divide the stalks, and wash with water. If there is any dirt or other debris on the leaves, gently rub it off and then drain the water. Slice your broccoli into 1-inch sections from the base all the way to the top of the leaves. Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes and set aside near the stove. Cautiously place the broccoli in the boiling water and let it cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli) or 2 minutes for tender. The broccoli will turn a vibrant green signifying that it is done cooking. Once the broccoli is cooked to the desired texture, place immediately into the ice water to stop
the cooking process. In a large sauté pan, heat oil until it begins to run the surface of the pan. Once the pan is heated, you will begin by adding the garlic and the ends of the shallots. Add the shrimp. Reduce heat to avoid burning ingredients and sauté until the garlic is golden brown and the shallots are flexible. The shrimp will turn firm and light pink once fully cooked. Add and cook the peppers until they are al dente, which means cooked but still firm when bitten. This process should take 2 to 3 minutes to appropriate doneness. Add the broccoli and incorporate it into the dish. Cook until heated to the temperature of the other ingredients. Once the dish is done, serve over a bowl of rice while topping it with a portion of scallions that were set aside. Additionally, you can customize the dish by adding soy sauce or sriracha to your portion.
Opinions
The Runner
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February 10, 2021
Makeup shaming is so last season Allie Madelyn Page Opinions Writer The year is 2021 – makeup is becoming less of a necessity for women to wear in the eyes of society. Meanwhile, it is becoming more accessible, with a plethora of YouTube tutorials allowing anyone to develop their skills. Whether or not people wear makeup should be a personal decision, and no one should be shamed for that decision either way. As the pressure for women to wear makeup dies down, the opposite pressure is starting to form – makeup shaming. In my personal experience, makeup shamers come in all stripes. Some are conservative men who call makeup “false advertisement.” Others are women who rightfully dislike the idea that women “have to” wear makeup, but jump to the
other extreme and insinuate that no one should be wearing it at all. When makeup users take off their makeup, they’re told that they look sick, plain or boring. When they put on fullface makeup, they’re told they’re trying too hard, or that they aren’t to be trusted. Natural looks get criticized from both directions. Sometimes, we can never win. But why? Makeup is more than a visual enhancement – for many, including myself, it’s a form of art. No one would go to an art museum, look at a Renoir painting, and say “You do know that’s actually a plain white canvas? He shouldn’t have disguised it with paint.” At the same time, you wouldn’t look at a Greek marble sculpture and say, “You know what, this thing needs some paint!”
Different artists have different intentions, and even if a work doesn’t speak to you or suit your taste, that doesn’t make it less artful or worthy of inclusion in the great artistic canon. Second, makeup is not false advertisement. Our bodies are not products or services to be marketed. Barring dress codes, many of us wear makeup for ourselves, not for others. It’s a personal decision, and even if a person looks radically different with it on, so what?
Illustration by Paige Atkison/The Runner
A change of clothes, shoes, hairstyle or eyeglass frames can significantly change one’s appearance too. No one protests dental braces, body language and anti-acne medication either. So why is makeup any different? Makeup is a skill that gets better with practice. It allows people to wear their emotions on their face. It also brings people together – the makeup community allows people with
a common interest in cosmetics to link up, exchange ideas, and have fun with it. Makeup shaming is nothing new – it dates back to the Victorian times. According to a 2016 article from thefashionfolks. com, Queen Victoria disliked makeup and felt women should only use it minimally. The “no-makeup” trend was popular back then, but it wasn’t from a progressive or feminist place at all – in fact, the Victorian populace and Victoria her-
self were in favor of enforcing strong gender roles and traditional Eurocentric femininity. But as we all know, the “no-makeup look” still often involves makeup, and not necessarily less of it either. Victorian women would use powder and bleach to whiten their skin, and many would use bugs for lipstick and put lemon juice in their eyes to make them pop, all to fit an ideal of natural beauty. Ironic, isn’t it? Women should lift each other up, not bring each other down. Similarly, men and non-binary folks should not be shamed for using makeup, either. If you don’t like makeup, don’t wear it. If you do, there’s no problem with it. Just remember to blend and use the right shade of foundation!
Sports
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The Runner
February 10, 2021
CSUB Women’s basketball upset against undefeated UC Irvine By Michael Canelo Sports Reporter CSU Bakersfield Women’s basketball team pulled off a massive upset on Friday at the Icardo Center. CSUB defeated UC Irvine 73-65 giving UC Irvine its first loss in the Big West Conference. “I think it’s huge. We have been a bit rocky this year. One of the biggest issues we have this year is bringing energy. We brought a ton of it tonight. And we just came in hungry. We knew they were undefeated in the conference. And we just wanted to make a statement,” said CSUB sophomore Lexus Green. The sophomore guard Green played great, tonight giving her team 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. CSU Bakersfield came out of the locker room with intensity on both sides of the ball. They were taking it to UC Irvine. The ‘Runners’ defense was causing problems and
were forcing turnovers by making the UC Irvine players travel. CSUB lead 18-16 after the first quarter. The ‘Runners’ open up a 17 point lead early in the second quarter. CSUB got that lead by creating turnovers and hitting their free throws. They went nine for nine from the free-throw in the first half. But UC Irvine fought back late in the second quarter to cut CSUB’s lead to 37-34 at the half. “We were locked in, moving the ball, finding the open teammate. We know teams are gonna have their runs, so we just need to execute and make our own runs and turn it around. It feels really good getting this win,” said CSUB junior Jayden Eggleston, who had 15 points, three rebounds, and made all of her shots that she took. In the third quarter, CSUB gave up its lead and found itself down seven points early. When it seemed like UC Irvine had the momentum on their side, CSUB came
back made it a two-point game going into the fourth quarter. Both teams played the fourth quarter fast-paced. It was back and forth until CSUB junior Jasmin Dixion hit a huge three-pointer from downtown to give the CSUB a 63-56 lead with 5:40 left in the game. CSUB closed out the game with great defense and upset UC Irvine. “Hands off to Irvine; we knew they were a tough team. They came in undefeated in the conference,” CSUB head coach Greg McCall said. “I am really proud of my players on how they showed resilience and a lot of determination. We took some punches, but with the energy we brought tonight, we also threw some.” CSUB moves to 7-6 overall and 5-4 in Big West Conference with this win. The CSUB Women’s Basketball team will look to sweep the season series against UC Irvine on Saturday, February 4 at the Icardo Center, tip-off set for 4 p.m.
Photo by Ellen Kommel/The Runner
CSUB Men’s basketball loses against CSU Fullerton By Michael Canelo Sports Reporter It was a tale of two halves for the CSU Bakersfield men’s basketball team in Friday night’s loss to CSU Fullerton at the Icardo Center. The Roadrunners started the game off cold offensively with 10 turnovers in the first half, shooting 4-14 from the field to start the game and also putting CSU Fullerton in the bonus with 8:37 minutes left to play in the first half. CSUB could not figure out how to create cracks in the Titans zone defense. Possession after possession CSUB was dribbling into the middle of the zone but would end up turning over the ball. CSUB was down 32-30 at the half, but their defensive
intensity kept them in the game forcing turnovers with their full court press leading to baskets. That all changed for both teams in the second half. For CSUB the offense in the second half was great, but the defensive could not stop CSU Fullerton from making baskets on the other end of the court. “We just did not fight hard enough tonight. A lot of lack of focus started at practice and it led over to the game. We probably played our best offense and our worst defense of the year,” said CSUB senior Taze Moore, who had 16 points, four assists, and seven rebounds. CSUB came out hitting three straight three-point shots giving CSUB a 46-44 lead early in the second half but CSU Fullerton had
an answer for every shot made by CSUB. CSUB fought back, staying in the game thanks in part to CSUB senior Justin McCall who had a career-high 20 points and added three assists and three rebounds. “We just didn’t play as hard as we needed to. Regardless of how the game is going, one of the main things we have to do is play hard,” said McCall. The comeback fell short for CSUB. With their defeat Friday Night by CSU Fullerton 90-84, CSUB falls to 10-6 overall and 6-3 in Big West Conference. “We need to give Fullerton a lot of credit. They came in and played really well. I thought in the second half we helped them. We had a lot of
defensive breakdowns. We just didn’t defend well. Just one of those situations that a game starts going bad and we couldn’t turn it around,” CSUB head coach Rod Barnes said. “I thought offensive we matched them as far as shooting the ball well but we are a defense minded team. We couldn’t get enough stops at the end.” CSUB will have the opportunity to get back in the win column, as these two teams battle it out again Saturday January 30 at the Icardo Center, tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
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