SEATTLE, Wash.- Behind a career-high 27 points from Dedrick Basile and a defensive effort that held Seattle U to just 17 first-half points, the CSUB Roadrunners cruised to a 79-52 road win Saturday night at Key Arena.
The victory was the fourth-straight road win for the Roadrunners who last won four-straight on the road in the 2007-08 season. Bakersfield has also won five straight games and is 13-5 on the season, nearly matching their 2014-15 win total (14-19).
“I thank God for these guys and the effort that they've given us, the focus that they're giving us; it's a very good basketball team,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “They work really hard and they've learned how to win on the road, they just establish themselves and we have an identity of what we are trying to do each and every game.”
The Roadrunners never trailed in the game and quickly led by 10 points just four minutes into the game, after Seattle cut the lead back to eight with 14:52 to play, the Roadrunners extended the lead back to double-digits following an Aly Ahmed layup with 12:56 to play in the half. The 'Runners would never lead by fewer than 10 points moving forward. Seattle didn't reach 10 points in the half until 4:33 remaining, by that point the CSUB lead was 28 points. The 'Runners led at half 39-17.
Barnes said his team's chemistry and execution has been special in the last few games.
“Some of the plays those guys are making, they're not designed the way we designed them but they have a great feel for each other and they have great chemistry,” Barnes said. “If they continue to do that this team is going to win some more games.”
Basile had 13 points at the half and was 5-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. The CSUB defense set the tone once again holding Seattle to just 5-of-23 in the first half and 0-of-6 from three-point range. The Redhawks entered the game shooting 40% from three-point range. CSUB forced 11 first-half turnovers, scoring 18 points in the process.
The second half featured another quick start for the 'Runners who held Seattle scoreless for the first 4:09 while extending the lead to 28 points. The Roadrunners would lead by as many as 34 in the second half with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Seattle managed six second-half three-pointers, all coming after CSUB led by 34. The Redhawks never challenged the CSUB lead and settled for fouling the 'Runners on purpose down the stretch, trailing by 29 with just over four minutes to play. Justin Pride was the recipient of most those fouls, he went 7-of-12 from the free-throw line in the final four minutes in the win.
Aly Ahmed added 13 points on 4-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Damiyne Durham added 11 points on 4-of-11 from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range. Justin Hollins tied a CSUB single-game record with six blocks in the game, including a block on an attempted dunk by 6'11” Seattle center Jack Crook. The six blocks have been recorded three previous times in history by Jamal Livingston, Terri Miller and Kebu Stewart. Hollins also broke the CSUB Division I record of five blocks in a game set by Cory Brown vs Cal State Northridge in 2010. Hollins also brought his season total to 32 blocks, also setting a new CSUB Division I record, formerly held by Donald Johnson who had 31 in the 2011-12 season. Hollins is on pace to break the all-time single-season record for blocks which stands at 57.
The Roadrunners are 3-0 in the WAC for the first time since joining the conference in 2013. Bakersfield will open the home portion of their WAC schedule on Thursday night when they host UT Rio Grande Valley (6-13, 2-2 WAC) at 6 P.M. at the Icardo Center. That game was moved up to 6 P.M. to accommodate national television coverage of the American Sports Network.
CSUB will also host NM State on Saturday, January 23 at 7 P.M. 2,000 tickets have already been pre sold for that game and reserved seats are going fast. Fans are encouraged to purchase in advance by calling 654-BLUE, visiting GoRunners.com/tix or buying online at www.Vallitix.com.
