Edinburg, Texas- The CSUB Roadrunners open a weekend of Western Athletic Conference action on the road Thursday night at Texas-Pan American before heading to first-place New Mexico State on Saturday evening.
The Roadrunners enter Thursday's game having won four of their last five games after a 78-76 loss to Grand Canyon on Saturday night at the Icardo Center. The 'Runners led by as many as 10 points in the game that saw 10 ties and 11 lead changes; the difference came in the final two minutes as Grand Canyon converted on missed CSUB free throws and a pair of turnovers.
The Roadrunners will meet UTPA for the second time this season as CSUB won the first meeting in Bakersfield on 66-53. CSUB scored 23 points off 17 Bronc turnovers in that contest and managed to hold UTPA to just 32% shooting in the second half including an 0-of-5 mark from three-point range. Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) led three 'Runners in double figures with 15 points while Dan Kimasa led the Broncs with 14 points.
The Roadrunners offense has hit a strong stride in conference play shooting 42% from the field while individual efforts from Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y., Odessa CC), Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ind., Ventura CC) and Maynor have helped CSUB close out close victories at home of late.
Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) continues to lead the 'Runners with 15 points and seven rebounds per game.
This weekend's slate of games for CSUB will include matchups featuring several WAC-stat leaders. CSUB's Mays leads the conference with 8.1 rpg while Thursday's opponent includes WAC-leading scorer Janari Joessar (18.3 ppg) and Saturday's Aggies team features Pascal Siakam, the conference leader in field goal percentage (57 %), blocks (1.80 per game) and offensive rebounds per contest (3.44).
The Aggies won the first game against the 'Runners on January 15, 70-54. Ahmed and Mays led CSUB with 18 points apiece while Remi Barry and Ian Baker had 20 and 19 respectively to lead New Mexico State.
Thursday's game a UTPA will be available on the Roadrunner Radio Network via 1230 ESPN in Bakersfield with the Dignity Health Pregame Show beginning at 4:30 P.M., tipoff is scheduled for 5 P.M. Pacific. The game will also be available on the WAC Digital Network.
Saturday's contest will be available on Newstalk 1180 and 96.1 FM KERN with the Dignity Health Pregame Show underway at 5:30 P.M. and tipoff scheduled for 6 P.M. Pacific. Along with WAC Digital Network coverage, that game will also be available on ESPN3.com and on Direct TV through ESPN Full Court.
