Bakersfield, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team would come out strong to open the game against Grand Canyon in the Western Athletic Conference Game of the Week and would never trail in the 71-58 victory at the Icardo Center on Saturday night.
 
The `Runners would take a 34-21 lead into the break, but it could have easily been much worse.  The `Runners led 34-14 and GCU went on a 7-0 run to end the half to get CSUB's lead down to 13 points after 20 minutes. 
 
It was the Damiyne Durham and Justin Davis show in the first half for CSUB.  Durham would lead all scorers at the half with 10 points and was tied for the game lead with four rebounds.  Davis, a redshirt freshman from San Diego, had seven points and four rebounds at the break.
 
The `Runners team put on a show defensively in the first half holding GCU to 26% (6-23) shooting from the field, including 0-10 from behind the arc. CSUB would shoot 44% from the field and outrebounded the Lopes 22-15 in the half. 
 
'Runners Head Coach Rod Barnes has been stressing team defense and offensive efficiency and if you throw out the last two minutes of the first half, Coach Barnes would get that and more from his team.
 
Grand Canyon would open up the second half by chipping away at the `Runners 13 point lead that CSUB had at the break.  And at the halfway point of the second half, GCU had the `Runners lead down to eight, 48-40. 
 
With 3:05 remaining and GCU with a little momentum, Davis would get a huge steal at mid court and go in for the uncontested slam dunk to get the `Runners lead back to 11 and kill any type of momentum Grand Canyon thought they may have had.

Coach Barnes said after the game, "I thought our team played very well tonight.  We rebounded the ball well and played hard.  It was a real physical game and I thought the guys handled themselves very well.  I'm just really proud of the guys.  It was a great team win and we will get back to work on Monday."

Senior Brent Wrapp became only the second `Runner in CSUB history to have 500 assists. 
 
Davis continues to step up and do everything for Coach Barnes team and tonight was no different.  The freshman continues to play like a seasoned vet and finished with a double double, 15 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Durham continues his torrid run of scoring through WAC play and finished with a game high 17 points to go along with 5 rebounds.
 
The `Runners improve to 11-15 on the season and 4-7 in WAC play, while GCU falls to 17-10 and 6-5 in the WAC.