BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-The CSUB Roadrunners made the play, made
the free throw and had the lead over New Mexico State with 2.2 remaining Monday
night at the Icardo Center but a foul on senior forward Donald Johnson with 0.9
remaining put Tyrone Watson on the line for the Aggies who sank both free
throws and handed CSUB a 73-72 loss in heartbreaking fashion on a night when
fouls told the story.
The Roadrunners and Aggies played a physical back and forth
affair with 12 lead changes and 10 ties but the free throws heavily favored the
Aggies who were 35-44 on the game with the Roadrunners a mere 8 of 12 from the
line themselves. In the end it was free throws that made the difference and
gave the Aggies (10-5) the win.
"It was a good end to a good basketball game I thought both
teams made plays down the stretch to win, said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes.
"Tough game for us, it was a tough loss, funny officiated game, probably the
weirdest one I've had in 20 years of coaching, but we have to bounce back, we
have a game on Thursday against the 17th-ranked team in the
country."
CSUB trailed 71-62 with 1:17 remaining following a
three-pointer by New Mexico State's Bandja Sy. Two possessions later following
a missed NMSU jumper, Issiah Grayson (Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC)
drove to the hoop hitting the game tying layup with 11 seconds remaining.
Grayson wasn't finished as he stole the ball from Wendell McKines before being
fouled on his way to the basket with 2.2 remaining. Grayson hit the first free
throw to give the 'Runners a 72-71 lead, following a Roadrunner timeout,
Grayson missed the second free throw, after rebounding the ball, Tyrone Watson
was fouled by Johnson with .9 remaining and hit the next two free throws for
the win.
"I think we as coaches always want the kids to determine the
game and I don't think that happened tonight," said Barnes. "Their coach was
yelling 'let the kids decide' to the officials after Issiah went to the basket,
I think both coaches wanted that and that didn't happen in this particular
game."
CSUB was led by Stephon Carter for the third straight game
scoring 16 points on 8 of 18 shooting.
Johnson added 15 points on 6 of 7 shooting and a team-high seven
rebounds. Tyrone White (Jr., Portland Ore., North Idaho CC) added 15 points as
well on 5-10 shooting. Foul trouble was a constant threat to the Roadrunners
game plan with several key players hamstringed by foul trouble throughout the
game.
Daniel Mullings led the way for New Mexico State with a
game-high 21 points on 7 of 10 from the field.
This was the first loss at home for the Roadrunners this
season who will move their next home game to Rabobank Arena Thursday night
against #17 UNLV. CSUB returns to the Icardo Center Saturday night against
Texas-Pan American. Tip off for both games is scheduled for 7 P.M.
