BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The CSUB men's basketball team took its first spin around the block of 2010–11 Thursday evening, defeating NCAA Division II foe Cal State East Bay 83–71 in an exhibition game played in the Icardo Center.

Senior guard Donavan Bragg (Inglewood/Serra HS) led all scorers with 25 points for CSUB. Newcomer Rashad Savage (Philadelphia, Pa./Odessa JC) chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds in his first appearance as a Roadrunner. Sophomore guard Stephon Carter (Garces HS), the team leader in assists and steals as a freshman, posted game–highs of five assists and five steals to go along with and 18–point night.

Freshman guard George Toyama hit four three pointer as part of his team–leading 18 points for East Bay.

Although the Pioneers led just once (20–18 midway through the first half), 16 CSUB first half turnovers and 5–of–8 shooting beyond the arc by the Pioneers prevented the Roadrunners from pulling away before intermission.

Leading 40–35 at the break, a Savage layup and a Bragg three pushed the Roadrunner lead to double digits for the first time at 45–35. East Bay never got closer than six the rest of the way as the 'Runners grew their advantage to as many as 15 points before settling on the 12–point final margin.

After intermission, CSUB dominated on the boards. The 'Runner defense forced more misses and the rebounders crashed the glass to the tune of nine second half offensive boards. Sophomore forward James Albright (Oakland/Fremont HS) led the way, grabbing seven of his game–high nine rebounds in the second half.

The 'Runners will take a week off before heading north to open the 2010–11 season in earnest with games at Santa Clara University Nov. 12 and Sacramento State Nov. 14. CSUB returns to Bakersfield to host Southern Utah in the official home opener Nov. 17 in Rabobank Arena.

CSU EAST BAY
Toyama, George 7–11 0–1 18; Samuels, Mark 8–15 1–2 17; Wynne, Roshun 4–10 7–9 16; Jackson, Donavon 3–7 0–0 7; Waters, Jared 2–5 0–0 4; Hrboka, Brandon 1–2 0–0 3; Freedman, Will 1–4 0–0 2; Garcia, Arturo 1–2 0–0 2; Watts, Adam 1–2 0–0 2. Totals 28–58 8–12 71.
CSU BAKERSFIELD
Bragg, Donavan 6–12 10–11 25; Savage, Rashad 7–12 5–7 19; Carter, Stephon 5–11 7–10 18; Johnson, Alex 3–10 2–2 9; Albright, James 1–5 0–0 3; Hayes, Robert 1–4 1–1 3; Johnson, Donald 1–2 0–0 3; Jones, Kregg 1–1 0–0 2; Baker, Reynaul 0–0 1–2 1; Brown, Cory 0–0 0–0 0; Kale, Cody 0–1 0–0 0. Totals 25–58 26–33 83.

CSU East Bay..................   35   36  –   71
CSU Bakersfield...............   40   43  –   83

3–point goals––CSU East Bay 7–14 (Toyama, George 4–5; Jackson, Donavon 1–2; Hrboka, Brandon 1–2; Wynne, Roshun 1–2; Freedman, Will 0–2; Samuels, Mark 0–1), CSU Bakersfield 7–16 (Bragg, Donavan 3–4; Carter, Stephon 1–2; Johnson, Alex 1–5; Albright, James 1–2; Johnson, Donald 1–1; Hayes, Robert 0–2). Fouled out––CSU East Bay–Freedman, Will, CSU Bakersfield–None. Rebounds––CSU East Bay 29 (Wynne, Roshun 7), CSU Bakersfield 40 (Albright, James 9). Assists––CSU East Bay 12 (Samuels, Mark 4), CSU Bakersfield 17 (Carter, Stephon 5). Total fouls––CSU East Bay 22, CSU Bakersfield 14. Technical fouls––CSU East Bay–None, CSU Bakersfield–None.