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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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JarkelJoinerDD04
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
88
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 14-6, 6-1 WAC
84
California Baptist CBU 10-8, 2-3 WAC
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
14-6, 6-1 WAC
88
Final
84
California Baptist CBU
10-8, 2-3 WAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 43 45 88
California Baptist CBU 40 44 84

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Joiner's CSUB DI Record 34 Points Lifts CSUB Past CBU



RIVERSIDE, Calif. – An offensive slugfest broke out in the CBU Events Center Thursday night as CSU Bakersfield and California Baptist battled in the two teams' first-ever Western Athletic Conference game. Behind a career-high and CSUB Division I single-game record 34 points from sophomore Jarkel Joiner, Bakersfield held off its host for an 88-84 victory.

"Tonight, I thought the difference was rebounding and defensive intensity," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "I thought we did a great job guarding [Milan Acquaah]. Jarkel guarded him most of the game and I think that defensive effort helped him on offense. This was a great win for us on the road. We can't wait to get back and see a huge crowd for our next home game."

The previous single-game high by a `Runner was set during the 2013-14 season by Issiah Grayson. The offensive-minded point guard scored 30+ points twice that season including the former record of 33 points against NM State on Mar. 14. Joiner's 34 points were slightly more efficient than Grayson's performance as the new record holder converted 14-of-23 (.608) of his field goals on Thursday night.

With the victory, CSUB (14-6, 6-1 WAC) moves half a game ahead of Grand Canyon (12-7, 5-1 WAC) for sole possession of first place in the WAC standings. GCU was idle Thursday night and will come to Riverside on Saturday to face a CBU team hungry for a win at home.

California Baptist opened the first half with a quick, 6-0 run to go ahead of the `Runners, but redshirt sophomore Greg Lee drained back-to-back three-pointers from the top of the arc. The forward scored Bakersfield's first eight points of the contest to help CSUB keep the Lancers, who shot lights out to start the game, within striking distance.

CBU was able to gradually sneak away to an eight-point lead midway through the first half, but the `Runners answered with a 7-0 run to stay close at 24-25 with 7:06 remaining. The two teams remained tight until a Bakersfield run, spurred by nine-straight points from sophomore Jarkel Joiner, found CSUB ahead 40-34.

The `Runners held on to their lead and went into the locker room with a 43-40 advantage, but a no call by the referees led to an argument in which Barnes was issued a technical foul. After a pair of free throws in dead time, CBU was set to start the second half down by only one point.

Joiner, a native of Oxford, Miss., scored at a blistering rate of 70% in the first half to finish with a game-high 17 points at the break. Lee, who hails from Rockford, Ill., contributed 10 points for the `Runners, who shot 44% from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

The second half saw both teams battling for control but not gaining much traction. The referees began to call a tight game with the `Runners and Lancers heading to the line often. Joiner took advantage of CBU by getting to the rim for multiple and-1 calls. The sophomore converted on a 3-pointer to put the `Runners ahead 67-62 while scoring his 25th point, a new career-high.

Despite countless attempts from CBU to regain the lead, Bakersfield was able to answer each probe with another basket and kept the Lancers down by a handful of points for most of the final six minutes. Joiner played a large roll in helping the `Runners fend off CBU. Down the stretch, the 6-foot-1 guard converted 4-of-5 field goal attempts, making each stop the CSUB defense made that much more effective.

Bakersfield was able to quiet the roaring crowd in the CBU Events Center repeatedly. After a pair of free throws by CBU's Milan Acquaah pulled the Lancers within three points at 87-84, the defensive intensity picked up and neither team was able to score a field goal over the final two minutes.

CBU had a pair of opportunities with less than 30 seconds left to tie the game, but both shots were off the mark and redshirt sophomore Taze Moore finally pulled down the rebound that would end the rally. Joiner was fouled and sank one of his two free throws, putting the `Runners ahead 88-84 with 1.6 seconds left.

On the game, Joiner rarely left the floor, playing 34 minutes while guarding Acquaah, the WAC's leading scorer. Bakersfield's sophomore also chipped in four rebounds, two assists, and three steals to go with his 34 points in a game for the ages. A Bakersfield native, Acquaah finished with 27 points, six assists, and five steals while playing all 40 minutes.

Lee tacked on six more points in the second half to finish with 16 points for the `Runners. The forward added five rebounds and two assists on Thursday night. Senior Rickey Holden tied his career-high with nine assists while redshirt senior James Suber's nine points and 11 rebounds helped the `Runners battle CBU's big men in the paint. Bakersfield also got 10 points and five rebounds out of Moore, another native of Mississippi.

CSUB outrebounded CBU 45-30 on the road with both teams struggling from three-point range. CBU converted 49% of their field goals compared to CSUB's 46%, while both teams got to the free throw line an equal 16 times.

The `Runners will have the weekend off before returning to the Icardo Center next week for home games. CSUB will host UC Santa Cruz on Tuesday, Jan. 29, before welcoming Grand Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 2, in what could be a battle for the WAC lead. Both contests next week are expected to boast huge crowds in the Icardo Center. Fans are encouraged to call 661-654-BLUE to purchase tickets ahead of time as pregame waiting lines at the box office have been extremely long recently. Interested attendees can find out more about tickets to `Runner games online as well by visiting this site.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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