BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-Brandon Barnes (R-Jr. Atlanta, Ga., Lipscomb University) hit a three-point shot with 1:12 remaining to give CSUB the lead for good as the 'Runners earned their first win of the season 77-74 over Westmont College (#8 NAIA) at the Icardo Center.
The following possession would also help the 'Runners seal the win as Matas Drungy was called for a flagrant foul after throwing an elbow during a loose ball scramble. Javonte Maynor (R-So. Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) made one of two free throws to give CSUB a three-point lead. The 'Runners were then able to hit their final four free throws and a potential game-tying three pointer as the clock expired.
"We told our guys they were a good team and if they got going we were going to have trouble with them and that's exactly what happened," said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. "I have to give them a lot of credit but I'm happy to be with the team I'm with because at no point did our guys seem like we were going to lose the game but we just struggled through it."
Tyrone White (Sr., Portland, Ore., North Idaho CC) led the way with a game-high 28 points on 8-13 from the field and 7-10 from three-point range. Barnes added a career-high 24 points on 9-17 from the field as well in a night that saw the 'Runners shoot 41% from both the field and three-point range.
CSUB trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half to the Warriors who managed several post and transition baskets. CSUB closed out the first half on an 8-0 run to pull within 40-36 at the break. The 'Runners didn't lead again until the 11:23 mark following a White three-pointer. CSUB and Westmont played through three more lead changes until the Barnes three-pointer put the 'Runners on top for good.
Freshman point guard Britton Williams (Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) played the majority of the second half after an injury to Zach Lamb (Sr., Norcross, Ga., Miami-Dade CC). Williams played the final 14:08 with three personal fouls and managed six points and a career-high 10 assists in the win.
Guard Preston Branson led the Warriors with 22 points on 7-12 from the field and 3-6 from three-point range. CSUB managed to control the second-half glass outrebounding Westmont 17-10 and limiting the Warriors to just 17 attempts from the field.
The 'Runners will head back on the road following Thanksgiving to play at Wyoming with tip off scheduled for 7 P.M. (MST). That game can be heard on KERN Newstalk 1180 and online at GoRunners.com.
CSUB returns home on Dec. 1 when they play the first of four games this season at Rabobank Arena hosting UT San Antonio at 7 P.M. Tickets are available by calling the Rabobank Arena box office or by calling 654-BLUE. A special $5 general admission ticket is also available to any fan that brings a non-perishable canned food item to be donated to the Golden Empire Gleaners.
