BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- CSU Bakersfield benefitted from a being the more defensive and the more-athletic team Saturday night forcing 21 turnovers which led to 23 points en route to an 82-50 win over Menlo College at the Icardo Center.
The win was the 199th for the men's basketball program at the Icardo Center, CSUB (7-4) could win the program's milestone 200th victory in the building which served as the team's home from 1988-1998 as well as the last two seasons on Tuesday when they host Portland State at 7 P.M. CSUB also played limited dates at the Icardo Center from 1998 to 2014 before returning to the on-campus venue full-time in the 2014-15 season.
The Roadrunners jumped out to a commanding first-half lead by shooting nearly 50% from the field sparked by 12 points from Damiyne Durham which included 4-of-6 three pointers in the half. CSUB also forced 15 first-half turnovers which led to 19 points for CSUB as well. The 'Runners also scored 16 points via the fast break.
“This is what you want to do, you want to come into a situation like this and we want to play like that,” Barnes said. “I was really happy and pleased with the way they came out and asserted themselves, they played with the energy and the focus we needed to play there in the first half.”
CSUB was 23-of-40 from the field in the half good for 58% while converting 4-of-8 from three-point range, the first half offensive explosion and defense put the second half out of reach for Menlo as the 'Runners took a 53-19 lead into the locker room.
The second half held much of the same for the Roadrunners who continued their defensive pressure on Menlo and managed to hold the Oaks to just 10-of-25 shooting. Menlo was led by Ryan Wilson and Adam Griffin who each scored eight for the Oaks.
“I was very pleased with our effort overall and very please with the way our kids carried themselves today and it puts us in a good position and a good frame of mind to play Portland State here on Tuesday,” Barnes said.
The Roadrunners were just 11-of-35 from the field in the second half but managed to shoot 45% in the game led by Durham's 22 points and 6-of-13 from three-point range. The Roadrunners also dominated in the post with Aly Ahmed scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds while Kevin Mays added 12 points and eight rebounds. The Roadrunners outscored the Oaks 52-22 in the paint while outrebounding the Oaks 49-28.
The Roadrunners return to action Tuesday night hosting Portland State (3-7) at the Icardo Center at 7 P.M. Tickets are available by calling 654-BLUE or visiting Vallitix.com. Holiday packs for men's and women's basketball are also still available. Log on to GoRunners.com/tix for complete pricing and details.
