BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- Behind 20 points from Aly Ahmed and another 15 from Dedrick Basile the CSUB Roadrunners won their third-straight Western Athletic Conference game 71-48 Saturday night over Chicago State (4-22, 0-9 WAC).
The win improves CSUB to 17-7 overall on the season and 7-2 in the WAC. The 17 wins are the most for CSUB at the NCAA Division I level, eclipsing the mark head coach Rod Barnes set during his first season in 2011-12 when the 'Runners were 16-14 as an NCAA independent.
“The guys had a great effort defensively, they (Chicago State) are a team that shoots the three-ball well and we did an excellent job there as well,” said assistant coach Jeff Conarroe. “Aly was huge tonight, had a spectacular second half for us and we knew points in the paint would be big because they're a smaller team.”
CSUB struggled from three-point range in the first half going just 1-for-9 missing many open looks but Jaylin Airington provided the offense scoring 11 points in the frame on 3-of-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Airington scored two of the team's final baskets in the half, the other being the lone three-pointer of the first when Damiyne Durham stretched the CSUB lead to 11 with 44 seconds to play. Airington then converted on a Justin Hollins block with a transition layup to give CSUB a 34-23 lead at the break.
The second half saw the emergence of Ahmed and Basile as CSUB went to the post for the senior center Ahmed who scored an additional 14 points in the half while going a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Basile also scored 11 second-half points including 3-of-5 from three-point range, hitting timely three-pointers to stretch the Roadrunners lead.
“When guys have needed to step up and answer the call this year they have and that's why we have had a lot of success,” Conarroe said. “Tonight Dedrick and Aly were the guys and they did a really good job.”
CSUB never trailed in the game and built and 18-point lead five minutes into the second half. Chicago State however would pick up their perimeter shooting as well converting on 4-of-8 early in the half and went on an 8-2 run with just under 10 minutes remaining to cut the CSUB lead to 52-42. The Roadrunners however would respond in a big way, using Basile's three-point shooting and transition points to close the final 7:38 on a 19-4 run for their third-straight win.
Ahmed was 6-of-8 from the field in the game to go along this his eight free throws. He narrowly missed a double-double grabbing nine rebounds. Basile recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds to go with his 15 points, he also had seven assists in the win.
“We are really proud of our guys with the effort they have shown,” Conarroe said. “Aly has been sick and others guys banged up a little bit so for us to get through this game is big.”
CSUB outscored Chicago State 48-24 in the paint and held a 47-36 rebounding advantage. CSUB's defense also forced 18 turnovers which led to 23 points for Bakersfield.
The Roadrunners remain in a second-place tie with Grand Canyon following the 'Lopes win at UT Rio Grande Valley Saturday night. Both teams are a game back of first-place NM State who defeated Utah Valley on Saturday as well.
The Roadrunners will see Utah Valley in their next game on Saturday February 13 when they host the Wolverines at the Icardo Center. CSUB defeated UVU 78-74 in the first meeting last week. Saturday's game will be available live on Newstalk 1180 and 96.1 FM KERN and televised nationally on the American Sports Network.
