BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's men's basketball team gained valuable experience Wednesday night in a hard-fought clash with No. 25 UCLA. The best news for the Roadrunners is that the game in Los Angeles marked the end of a 17-day road trip. CSUB is now preparing for its first home contest since Nov. 10, a game against Northern Arizona, Dec. 2, in the Icardo Center.

Prior to the 2016-17 season, the `Runners and Lumberjacks had squared off eight times with both teams winning an even four meetings. When CSUB went to Flagstaff, Ariz. on Dec. 5, 2016, the `Runners emphatically took the series lead with an 81-47 victory.

On Saturday, the Lumberjacks will look to tie the series back up in Bakersfield, but the `Runners will not make that easy as CSUB has enjoyed a 26-4 record in the Icardo Center since Jan. 1, 2015.

NAU is led by a trio of student-athletes, who all average just under 12 points per game: guard Torry Johnson, guard JoJo Anderson, and guard/forward Chris Bowling. NAU has started its season with an 0-6 record, but has faced tough opponents in Arizona, No. 20 Arizona State, Kansas State, and UC Irvine.

CSUB is paced by redshirt junior Damiyne Durham's 12.6 points per game, while a total of four `Runners average 9.6 points or more. As a team, Bakersfield is outrebounding its opponents by a margin of 5.5 rebounds per game and CSUB is ranked in the Top 50 in NCAA Division I in total rebounds with 299.

Saturday's game against the Lumberjacks is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff. It is "Take A Kid To The Game" night, which means all kids 17 and under get free admission with a paid adult. For those who cannot attend the game, CSUB will have the rest of its home games (except Dec. 8) broadcasted on ESPN3. Links to live stream and live stats can be found on the CSUB men's basketball schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~