BROOKINGS, S.D.- The CSUB Roadrunners came within a possession of snapping the nation's third-longest home winning streak but were unable to convert two late three-pointers as South Dakota State held on for the 69-63 win Sunday afternoon at Frost Arena.
In a game that saw 15 lead changes and 8 ties CSUB found themselves in position to snap the Jackrabbits 22-game home winning streak leading by as many as six points in the game, but the second half saw the home team at the free throw line more times than not as the Jackrabbits converted 23 of 26 free throw attempts to take the lead late. CSUB was a mere 3-3 from the free throw line all evening.
"I'm proud of the guys and the way they played, coming into another tough environment and putting ourselves in a situation to win," said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. "We had a couple of chances at the end and some calls that didn't go our way."
The 'Runners played without starting point guard Tyrone White (Sr., Portland, Ore. North Idaho CC) who sat out with illness but freshman Britton Williams (Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) played brilliantly scoring a game-high 18 points on 8-15 shooting and 2-3 from three-point range while also recording two rebounds and four assists.
Stephon Carter (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) also added 17 points on 8-16 from the field. Carter moved into CSUB's all-time scoring list surpassing Trent Blakely for 5th all-time and Carl Toney for fourth all-time. Carter now has 1,275 points and is now 15 back of Kebu Stewart for third.
CSUB also had double-digit efforts from Brandon Barnes (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Lipscomb) who scored 10 points for his fifth straight double-digit game. Javonte Maynor (So., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) added 10 points for the 'Runners who shot 43.5% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
The Roadrunners return home Saturday night Dec. 15 hosting the University of La Verne at the Icardo Center at 7 P.M. before embarking on a four-game road trip as part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic which begins Monday, Dec. 17 at Portland.
