BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--With 35 seconds left in the game, Javonte Maynor's (R-So.,
Atlanta, Ga. Georgia State. steal
was almost a game changer Friday night at the Icardo center, but despite
scoring on the play and giving the 'Runners the lead, UT Arlington scored the
game winner with five seconds remaining to hand CSUB a 62-60 season opening
loss at the Icardo Center.
The loss marked the first time the 'Runners have dropped a
season opener at the Icardo Center. Both teams struggled offensively all night
with CSUB shooting 26% from the field and UT Arlington managing only 37%.
Maynor,
who led the Runners with 14 points in his first game with CSUB, almost clinched
the game but missed the three point shot with .4 seconds on the clock. Maynor was greatly assisted tonight by senior returning starter
Stephon Carter (Sr., Bakersfield, Ca. Garces HS.) who had 12 points and pulls within 359 points of the CSUB all
time record.
The
Roadrunners had multiple opportunities with less than five minutes remaining,
but it wasn't until Maynor's steal and lay up that they took the late lead.
Another
highlight of the game came from 'Runner freshman Britton Williams. (Fr.,
Bakersfield, Ca. Liberty HS.) Williams came late into the game to replace Zach Lamb (Sr., Norcross, Ga., Miami-Dade CC) who suffered from a slight injury to the ankle coming down from a tough
play. Williams sank two free throws with 43 seconds to
go in the game, which pulled the Runners within one.
Defense
was the key factor that kept the 'Runners in the game, forcing 22 turnovers
while limiting Arlington to 26% from three point range. Head coach Rod Barnes
said he liked the defensive effort, but knows a better shooting percentage will
be needed when heading up north to take on the Pac-12 University of California
Golden Bears this Sunday, Nov 11.
That
game will be televised on the Pac-12 network and available on KERN 1180 AM
beginning at 6:30 P.M. The 'Runners will be back at home a week from Saturday hosting Loyola Marymount at the Icardo Center at 7 P.M. Tickets are available now on GoRunners.com
