November 5, 2005
BOX SCORE
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Keith Brown era of the Cal State Bakersfield men's basketball program got off to a winning start Saturday as the Roadrunners defeated a talented alumni squad 77-74 at the Icardo Center.
Contra Costa College transfer Randall Harding led the Roadrunners with 24 points and six assists in his Bakersfield debut. Returning All-CCAA guard Dwuan Rice chipped in 16 points.
Point guard Damarius Akins (2002-04) led a balanced alumni squad with 16 points and six steals. Center Dock Ellis (1998-2002) added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds for the alumni.
As they did in last season's game, the Roadrunners raced to a big early lead. They needed just seven minutes to turn a 6-6 tie into a 33-11 advantage midway through the first half.
With senior center Jon Bell out due to a nagging injury, however, the alumni took advantage of significant Roadrunner foul trouble in the post to close to within 41-28 at the half.
With a roster featuring seven former NCAA champions as well as a handful of former professionals, the alumni chipped away at the lead in the second half. A pair of Akins free throws got them as close as four at 53-49 with 12:51 to play.
Where last season's Roadrunners melted under the alumni onslaught, this season's team responded to the pressure with a 10-3 run the got the advantage back to 11 points at 63-52. The lead hovered in the eight to 11 point range until a late rally made the finally score deceptively close. The alumni never got within one possession of the lead until the varsity conceded a layup in the final second.
The Roadrunners will close out their exhibition schedule Wednesday night when they host the Australian Institute of Sport at Rabobank Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Department
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Phone: (661) 654-3071 • FAX: (661) 654-2376
