Box Score
BAKERSFIELD, Calif.,- Three games into the 43rd season of Roadrunners basketball, Bakersfield managed to outduel the guard play of Sacramento State by putting four-players in double figures and shooting nearly 50% from the field as the 'Runners won the program's 800th game all-time with a 74-66 win Wednesday night at the Icardo Center.
Javonte Maynor (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) paced Bakersfield with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 4-of-6 from three-point range as the Roadrunners managed to build a pair of double-digit leads in the ballgame and fend off a few Hornet rallies en route to the win. Maynor led a trio of guards in double figures as Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) added 15 points while shooting 4-of-10 on the night including a 2-of-4 performance from three-point range and a 5-of-6 night from the free-throw line; Zach Lamb (R-Sr., Norcross, Ga., Miami-Dade CC) chipped in 14 points on 4-of-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line as well.
“It was a great win for us, one that can help us and build our confidence,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “I thought our guys did a great job competing against their guards, they have really good guards; we have a lot of room for improvement, I thought it was a good win for us but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
The Roadrunners trailed 4-0 two minutes into the game but went on a 15-1 run to take their first double-digit lead with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Bakersfield shot 46% from the field in the half and built the lead to 12 points before the Hornets managed to cut the lead to eight heading into the half.
Bakersfield would again set the tone in the second half, leading by double-figures for most of the game and building a 17-point lead with 2:27 remaining. Sacramento State leading scoring Dylan Garrity started a late rally for the Hornets with just over a minute remaining by hitting back-to-back three-pointers and Cody Demps added another with 38 seconds to play but the 'Runners would ice the game at the free-throw line converting on 13-of-17 opportunities on the night.
Stefon Johnson (R-Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio, Gardner-Webb) was the lone forward in double figures scoring 11 points while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Bakersfield once again showcased their depth and versatility, outscoring Sacramento State's bench 41-15.
“With Javonte and Zach Lamb; I told those guys they're veterans and they have to carry us, they have to help us and push us through because those other guys still have some time to work,” Barnes said. “I also told Stefon Johnson today somebody has to be the leader up on the front line…we have to win up there at some point and he stepped up for us and had a great game.”
The 800th win for Bakersfield improves the program's all-time record to 800-422. They join four other current WAC members with at least 800 wins (Idaho, New Mexico State, Grand Canyon, and Seattle). CSUB also improved their Icardo Center record to 182-22 all-time while opening the season 2-1 for the second time in three seasons under Barnes.
CSUB shifts home courts on Monday night as they continue their four-game home stand at Rabobank Arena in downtown Bakersfield as they host Nevada. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. It is the first of seven home games planned for the downtown venue this season.
