Box Score BAKERSFIELD, Calif.,- Jaylin Airington has hit several jump shots this season, but none bigger than his 19-foot pull-up shot with .3 seconds remaining as the CSUB Roadrunners (12-16, 7-5 WAC) defeated Missouri-Kansas City (11-13, 6-5 WAC) 64-62 to take over second-place among tournament-eligible teams in the Western Athletic Conference.
“It was a great shot,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “The great thing about it is, it wasn't an abnormal play for him, he does a good job of shooting mid-range shots, from the time he let it go I was confident it was going in.”
The Roadrunners and 'Roos played a high-level of defense in this affair, but it was critical offensive plays down the stretch that would make the difference. Both the Roadrunners and UMKC converted at key moments inside the final three minutes. Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ind., Ventura CC) gave the Roadrunners a three-point lead with three-minutes to play with a spectacular tip in following a missed CSUB three-pointer. At the time CSUB led 57-54.
The 'Roos managed to cut the lead to one after a pair of free throws from Martez Harrison. The conference's second-leading scorer made his impact at the free-throw line in the ball game scoring a game-high 28 points including 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.
The Roadrunners responded with 1:33 to play when Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the game following a pass from the post by Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC). That gave CSUB a four-point lead but UMKC responded with a three-pointer from Frank Williams Jr. to cut the lead to one point with 1:15 to play.
CSUB made the most of their next possession as Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y., Odessa CC) hit a short jumper to give the 'Runners the lead at 62-59 with 48 seconds to play. Harrison however had one more deep three-pointer in him as he tied the game with just 29 seconds to play.
The 'Runners didn't call timeout and as Brent Wrapp (R-Fr., Boulder, Colo., Fairview HS) dribbled towards the basket he handed the ball to Airington who dribbled left before pulling up for the game-winner. It was also Airington's team-high 16th point in the game as he finished 7-of-8 from the field.
“I thought it was a great game, they (UMKC) do a great job, they're a hard team to guard,” Barnes said. “I can tell you as a coach, playing a chess match with those guys is really difficult because they can really shoot the ball and I thought we guarded them every kind of way we could guard them.”
The Roadrunners trailed at the half but opened the second frame on an 11-2 run to retake the lead they would hold for the majority of the half. UMKC used three-point shooting as the majority of their second-half offense, taking their first second-half lead with just over seven minutes remaining following a Reese Holliday three-pointer.
The final seven minutes included five lead changes and two ties.
With the win CSUB moves into sole possession of second place among WAC Tournament-eligible teams at 7-5. The Roadrunners have two remaining WAC games on the road, Saturday, February 28 at Seattle U and the following Saturday, March 7 at Utah Valley. UMKC, currently in third has three WAC games remaining, two at home and one on the road.
“Tonight we know we have at least winning record in conference which is a big step for us,” Barnes said. “We have two games to go and I just believe these guys want more… I think they're hungry to win more.”
The Roadrunners remain at home for one final home game on Tuesday night, a non-conference affair against Bristol University. It's senior night, honoring five seniors for the Roadrunners. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.
