Beaumont, TX – The CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team traveled to Lamar on Sunday afternoon looking to break a two game losing streak, as well as, end Lamar's three game winning streak.

The `Runners took an early 14-11 lead behind ten points from senior Shon Briggs in the first six minutes of the game.  Briggs was three for three from the field including one of one from behind the arc to really get CSUB going.  After the timeout, Lamar would go on a 7-0 run to take an 18-14 lead, but the `Runners would respond with a quick 4-0 run of their own to tie it at 18.

The game would stay tight throughout the first half with the largest lead by either team being five, when the `Runners took a 31-26 lead with 2:18 remaining in the half.  CSUB would take a 36-33 lead at the break behind Briggs 13 points and `Runners dynamic freshman Jarkel Joiner's 12 points and 5 rebounds. 

CSUB outrebounded Lamar 18-12 in the first half.  The `Runners shot 41% from the field and 79% from the free throw line.  Lamar shot 45.5% from the field in the first half and 77% from the line.  Both teams were 3-9 from three point range. 

CSUB would make it a seven point lead, 48-41, at the first media timeout of the second half, behind two Rickey Holden threes and a couple buckets inside by senior Moataz Aly.  The `Runners would extend their lead to 14 with 10:17 remaining after junior Damiyne Durham drained a three and CSUB led 60-46.  But Lamar would go on a 7-0 run before the third media timeout and the `Runners lead was cut to 60-53. 

Lamar would get even closer after a Colton Weisbrod layup, but CSUB's Rickey Holden would hit a jumper to stop the run and then freshman Justin Davis would bank in a three for good measure and the `Runners had a 65-55 lead.  And then Durham happened.  Durham hit back to back threes for the `Runners to give CSUB an 11 point lead at the last media timeout, 3:28 remaining in the game.  Davis would get a steal and a bucket, get fouled and make the free throw to extend the `Runners lead to 74-63 with 2:39 remaining.  The `Runners would go on and improve to 2-2 on the year with an 85-73 victory over Lamar.

CSUB Head Coach Rod Barnes said, "Always good to get a win on the road and Lamar is a good team.  It wasn't a perfect game, but our team figured out a way to get the win on the road.  I thought we did a great job of getting to the line and making the free throws and I thought that was the difference in the game." 
 
The `Runners were led by Briggs 22 points, 7 boards and 4 assists.  Joiner scored 18 points and had 6 rebounds.  Durham finished with 17, but that does not tell the story.  Durham was huge in the second half and his back to back threes halfway through the second half really put the game out of reach for Lamar.

The `Runners would shoot 52% from the field and an unconscious 10-21 from three point range.  CSUB would also shoot 82% from the free throw line and outrebounded Lamar 35-26.

Barnes added, "I am really pleased with how we played defense and how we rebounded the ball tonight."

CSUB will travel to Anchorage, AK for the GCI Great Alaska Shootout that begins on Wednesday, Nov. 22 against Alaska Anchorage.