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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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Nick Ellis
65
Lamar University LU 4-6
86
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 6-4
Lamar University LU
4-6
65
Final
86
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
6-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lamar University LU 29 36 65
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 30 56 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

CSUB's Second-Half Blitz Earns 86-65 Win Over Lamar



BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After playing a tight first half with Lamar University, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team raced away in the second period to take an 86-65 victory in the Icardo Center. Senior Rickey Holden led the second-half surge with 18 points in the final 20 minutes while the Roadrunner defense limited the Cardinals to just 39% shooting from the field to seal the deal.

A historic moment occurred with just over four minutes left in the game when redshirt senior Damiyne Durham pulled up for a three-pointer. The native of Oakwood, Texas nailed the fast-break trey, which moved Durham past CSUB great Kenny Warren (1990-94) for the school's all-time record for three-pointers made in a career. After making one more from behind the arc in the final minutes, Durham finished the night with 280 in his career, which also ranks the guard in the Top 5 among active NCAA Division I student-athletes.

A defensive struggle raged in the first half as neither team was able to build much of a lead. A 7-0 scoring run by Lamar helped the Cardinals take a 14-8 lead on the `Runners around the 11-minute mark, but CSUB fought back to take a lead of their own, 19-15, just a few minutes later.

Bakersfield wound up with a 30-29 advantage at the halftime break with neither team able to find an offensive rhythm. Lamar's woes were due in large part to CSUB's four steals and three blocks, which led to 13 turnovers by the Cardinals. Redshirt sophomore Taze Moore led all student-athletes with 12 points in the period.

The second half was all Bakersfield from start to finish as CSUB's offense heated up. Holden was the team's second-period catalyst, scoring 18 points while helping the `Runners lead by as many as 23 points. Lamar ended the game with 23 turnovers committed while CSUB finished with a season-high nine blocks, including three each from Moore and sophomore Justin McCall.

On the game, Holden led the `Runners with 20 points while resetting a career high with nine assists. The native of Laurel, Miss., did a good chunk of his damage behind the charity stripe, going 8-for-8 from the free throw line on Thursday. Holden also chipped in three steals and a block in a complete effort.

Durham went 6-for-11 from the field to wrap up his historic night with 15 points and four rebounds. Moore missed chunks of the second half due to foul trouble, but still finished with 14 points and three rebounds. Redshirt sophomore Justin Edler-Davis played an important 32 minutes, contributing 11 points and four rebounds for the `Runners.

As a team, CSUB shot 70% from the field in the hot second half to finish the night at 55.7%. Lamar was stifled by CSUB's handsy defense, shooting just 38.3% from the field in the game and 25% from behind the arc. Despite taking just 12 free throws, the `Runners knocked down 83% of those attempts to capitalize on their opportunities.

With the victory, CSUB improved to 6-4 on the season and 3-0 in the Icardo Center. The `Runners will have another chance to defend the blue Kern Schools Court on Tuesday, Dec. 18, when Cal Poly comes to town. CSUB will match up with the Mustangs for the first time since 2012, renewing a rivalry that dates back many decades. Tipoff on Thursday is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Bakersfield.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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