RENO, Nev.-Despite holding a one-point halftime lead over the top team in the Western Athletic Conference, 12 second half turnovers helped erase a six-point CSUB lead as Nevada (22-4, 10-1 WAC) pulled away for the 61-47 win Tuesday night in Reno.
The Roadrunners (13-14) started the game on a 7-0 run but Nevada responded with a 10-0 run of their own which set the tone for the half which included 12 lead changes and 4 ties. Issiah Grayson (Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) hit two free throws to give the 'Runners a one-point advantage going into the locker room.
In the second half, CSUB managed to build a six-point lead with 12:08 remaining but were then held scoreless for the next four minutes as they turned the ball over five times which led to transition opportunities and Roadrunner fouls. The Wolf Pack scored the next seven points from the free throw line to retake a 40-39 lead.
The 'Runners would take the lead once more at 41-40, before Nevada closed out the final 7:55 on a 20-7 run as CSUB struggled to hit open jump shots and three-point attempts managing just 6 of 27 in the second half and 15-50 (30%) in the game from the field. The 'Runners were also 0-11 in the second half missing critical three-point attempts while the game was still in doubt. CSUB finished the game 4-21 for 19% from beyond the arc.
The 12 second half turnovers also led to 23 points for Nevada who was led by Olek Czyz's 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting and 6 of 7 from the free throw line. The Wolf Pack were 23 of 29 from the free throw line.
“We did what you can't do on the road and that's turn the ball over,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “I'm proud of our effort tonight, I thought our guys fought but we just made too many mistakes in the second half, we tend to rush things against big athletic teams and that's what happened tonight.”
The 'Runners were led by Stephon Carter (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) who scored 12 points on 5 of 15 shooting while Zachary Lamb (Jr., Norcross, Ga., Miami-Dade CC) added 11 points as he scored in double figures for the fifth straight game.
“Nevada is a really good team, the best in the WAC and I think we proved we belong with teams like this,” said Barnes. “We've proven we can compete against the best in the WAC and the Big West and now we'll use that to recruit and continue to build our program.”
The Roadrunners return home Saturday to host San Diego at Rabobank Arena. It's 70's-Flashback night as we honor the 1971-72 Roadrunners, the first team at CSUB. Tickets are 70's-priced for just $3 and available at Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena box office.
