LOGAN, Utah — The CSUB men's basketball team came out ice cold—Utah State came our merely cold. But the Aggies dominated on the offensive glass to build a 37–16 halftime lead and rode that advantage to a 77–58 win Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
CSUB (5–5 overall) battled hard after halftime and went toe to toe with USU (7–2). The Roadrunners out–scored the Aggies 42–40 in the period while shooting a sizzling 51.4 percent from the floor and turning the ball over just twice in the final 20 minutes, but it wasn't enough.
The Roadrunners shot just 6–of–24 from the field in the first half, including an 11:38 stretch in the heart of the period in which they went 0–of–10 from the floor and 4–of–9 from the line as USU increased its lead from 10–8 to 30–12. The Aggies didn't fare much better shooting, connecting on just 39 percent (12–of–31) in the opening period, but they out–rebounded the 'Runners 32–12 in the first 20 minutes and shot twice as many free throws (18 to 9).
CSUB got a solid all–around game from junior forward Rashad Savage (Philadelphia/Odsessa JC), who led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds. Although their stat lines weren't eye popping, freshmen post players De'Aundray Robinson (Baton Rouge, La./National College Prep) and Kregg Jones (St. Georges, Barbados/San Diego Army–Navy Academy) also gave two of the best performances of their young collegiate careers.
Tai Wesley (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Nate Bendall (13 and 14) each posted double–doubles to lead Utah State.
CSUB returns home for the holidays, opening a four–game homestand in Rabobank Arena Wednesday (Dec. 15) against Portland State. Tip–off is at 7 p.m.
UTAH STATE 77, CSU BAKERSFIELD 58
CSU BAKERSFIELD (5-5)
Savage, Rashad 7-10 0-0 14; Bragg, Donavan 2-7 4-5 8; Robinson, De'Aundray 3-6 0-0 7; Johnson, Alex 2-6 0-0 6; Baker, Reynaul 2-5 1-4 5; Kale, Cody 2-3 0-0 5; Carter, Stephon 2-11 0-2 4; Hayes, Robert 1-1 0-0 3; Johnson, Donald 1-6 0-0 2; Jones, Kregg 1-2 0-0 2; Brown, Cory 1-1 0-0 2; Albright, James 0-3 0-0 0; Matip, Ivan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-61 5-11 58.
UTAH STATE (7-2)
Newbold, Tyler 6-9 4-5 18; Wesley, Tai 5-7 6-10 16; Bendall, Nate 6-10 1-2 13; Williams, Pooh 4-12 2-2 12; Green, Brian 2-10 3-4 8; Jardine, Brady 2-6 2-4 6; Grim, Morgan 1-1 0-0 2; Walker III, James 0-3 1-2 1; Formisano, Matt 0-1 1-2 1; Farris, E.J. 0-0 0-0 0; Brown, Brad 0-0 0-0 0; Pane, Brockeith 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 26-62 20-31 77.
CSU Bakersfield............... 16 42 - 58
Utah State.................... 37 40 - 77
3-point goals--CSUB 5-12 (A. Johnson 2-4; Robinson 1-3; Hayes 1-1; Kale 1-1; Albright 0-2; Bragg 0-1), USU 5-16 (Williams 2-6; Newbold 2-4; Green 1-4; Walker 0-2). Fouled out--CSUB-Robinson. Rebounds--CSUB 27 (Savage 7), USU 55 (Bendall 14). Assists--CSUB 15 (Bragg 4), USU 18 (Walker, Newbold 4). Total fouls--CSUB 21, USU 12. Technical fouls--CSUB-Robinson, USU-Wesley. A-8194
