VERMILLION, S.D.- Playing without their leading scorer and with two players coming off injury, the CSUB Roadrunners used a balanced scoring effort and stout defense to capture their first road win of the season 77-67 Saturday night at the Dakota Dome over the University of South Dakota (5-3).
The 'Runners benefitted from a career-high 20 points from Dedrick Basile who was 6-of-14 from the field while the 'Runners defense forced 16 turnovers, recorded five steals and five blocks en route to sending the Coyotes to their first home loss of the season.
“I am really proud of this team and they way we fought and played tonight,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “We've been playing well but at times not playing together, tonight I thought we played together and got the win, we've been working all week to get prepared and we really focused on our defense.”
The Roadrunners, who had previously struggled shooting the ball on the road, were 15-of-25 in the first half (60%) and held a 39-36 lead at the break. The managed 11-of-24 in the second half (46%) and shot for a 26-of-49 clip in the game, good for 53%. CSUB used high-percentage shooting in the post, dominating the Coyotes 34-20 in the paint led by 16 points on 5-of-11 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line for Aly Ahmed. Kevin Mays added 13 points and eight rebounds while shooting 6-of-10 from the field as well. CSUB outrebounded the Coyotes 36-20 in the game including 10 offensive rebounds that led to 10 second-chance points.
The game was a close battle throughout with 10 ties and 16 lead changes. CSUB both led and trailed by as many as five points before South Dakota took a 56-52 lead with 9:52 to play in the second half. The Roadrunners would rattle off a 6-0 run to retake the lead with just over eight minutes to play. CSUB would never trail again as they rolled off another 6-0 run following a pair of free throws from Brent Wrapp, an Ahmed layup and an Ahmed jump shot with 4:53 to play.
South Dakota cut the lead to four on two more occasions but field goals from Ahmed and Jaylin Airington who returned from injury after two weeks kept the CSUB lead in tact. Tre Burnett missed an open three-pointer with 1:05 to play and the CSUB lead at six. The Roadrunners got the rebound and would make seven of their next eight free throws to seal the road win. CSUB was 16-of-20 from the free throw line.
South Dakota was held to just 41% shooting in the second half and just 3-of-8 from three-point range. Forward Eric Robertson led the Coyotes with 17 points on 6-of-13 from the field.
The Roadrunners have won two in a row and will look for their second three-game winning streak of the season Monday as they host Dartmouth at the Icardo Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 P.M.
