Men's Basketball | August 18, 2019
CSU Bakersfield
Men's Basketball
Foreign Tour Central
Vancouver, British Columbia, Aug. 18-23
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With the 2019-20 men's basketball season just a couple months away, the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners is preparing for a preseason journey to Canada with a threefold purpose: engage the `Runners in a cultural experience, bond as a team, and compete against some of Canada's top basketball teams. This Foreign Tour Central will keep fans up-to-date with daily, blog-style updates, game recaps and photos of the `Runners in the Great White North. For an up-to-the-minute look behind the scenes, follow CSUB Men's Basketball on its social media platforms:
Twitter: @CSUB_MBB
Instagram: @CSUB_MBB
Game Schedule
Game 1: CSUB at University of Fraser Valley, Monday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. (PT), Abbotsford, B.C.
Roadrunners 96, Cascades 59
Game 2: CSUB at Douglas College, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. (PT), New Westminster, B.C.
Roadrunners 80, Royals 40
Game 3: CSUB at University of British Columbia, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. (PT), Vancouver, B.C.
Roadrunners 94, Thunderbirds 88
Sunday, Aug. 18 - Day 1
The `Runners departed on a bus to Los Angeles early Sunday morning and arrived at LAX for their flight. A three-hour voyage found CSUB on the other side of the border, landing in Vancouver around midday. After grabbing some lunch at a quaint bistro and settling into their hotel rooms, the `Runners headed out for a bike ride around beautiful Stanley Park. After an early wrong turn and a quick detour, the `Runners traversed the six-mile loop, taking in the sights and sounds of the large, island park. The team rode past multiple beaches, Vancouver Harbour, and Lions Gate Bridge while also passing through an Indian Festival going on in the park.
Gallery: (8/18/2019) MBB Canada Day 1
Monday, Aug. 19 - Day 2
A good night's rest kick started a fun morning for the `Runners, who enjoyed a walk back to Stanley Park. This time around, CSUB headed to the center of the park to visit the Vancouver Aquarium. The `Runners enjoyed seeing the animals and critters - sea lions, otters, sharks, a wide variety of fish, sea urchins and anemones - while also learning about the dangers of plastic waste in the ocean and preserving our natural resources.
The `Runners fought through some rush hour traffic to make their way about 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) to the south to Abbotsford. Upon arrival, CSUB wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead over its host, the UFV Cascades. Bakersfield coasted to a 96-59 victory behind 20 steals as a squad. Redshirt junior De'Monte Buckingham did a little bit of everything, posting 11 points, six assists, and six steals on Monday night. A pair of redshirt juniors in Justin Edler-Davis and Taze Moore tallied a game-high 16 points each while all but one `Runner played at least 15 minutes, gaining valuable preseason experience.
Below are some video highlights from Monday night's game followed by the full photo gallery from Day 2.
Gallery: (8/19/2019) MBB Canada Day 2
Tuesday, Aug. 20 - Day 3
Bakersfield started its second full day in Canada with a hearty breakfast before heading out to a high-in-the-sky adventure. The team made its way to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel that hangs 230 feet above the Capilano River and spans 450 feet across the Capilano Canyon.
The `Runners traversed the bridge with some of the men conquering their fears to do so. After running into some banana slugs, traversing the Treetops Adventure, and edging their way around the Cliffwalk, the squad headed back to the city. Shifting focus to Tuesday night's matchup with Douglas College, the `Runners set out to improve to 2-0 on their Canadian Tour.
The Royals hung tight with CSUB through the first quarter of play, but Bakersfield's athleticism and precision shined in the final three quarters as the `Runners earned a 80-40 victory. Redshirt junior De'Monte Buckingham paced all student-athletes with 19 points on the game while junior Czar Perry added 11 points, six rebounds, and seven assists against the Royals.
Below are some video highlights from Tuesday's game in New Westminster, Canada, as well as a full photo gallery from Day 3.
Gallery: (8/20/2019) MBB Canada Day 2
Wednesday, Aug. 21 - Day 4
With a mist of rain casting a soupy fog over the Vancouver Harbour all day, the `Runners used the peaceful setting to relax after three-straight busy days. Some of the team lazed around in the hotel, arguing over who is the best dominoes player, while others got out into the city to visit local shops, parks, and markets.
A quick bus ride to uptown Vancouver found the `Runners in War Memorial Gym, preparing for what would prove to be a tough battle against University of British Columbia. The host Thunderbirds matched CSUB in intensity throughout the first three quarters and found themselves eight points ahead of the `Runners early in the fourth.
Redshirt junior Taze Moore rallied the troops with 14 second-half points on the way to a 94-88 victory. Moore was one of three `Runners alongside Cam Allen and Justin Edler-Davis to post 20+ points in the high-scoring affair. With the effort, Bakersfield conclude its Canadian slate with an unblemished, 3-0 record. More importantly, the squad learned valuable lessons about playing together and will take this knowledge into the preseason with plenty of work still to be done.
Gallery: (8/21/2019) MBB Canada Day 4
Thursday, Aug. 22 - Day 5
The `Runners were up bright and early Thursday morning to get a timely start to an exciting day. After a quick breakfast, the team headed back out on the road, past the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and up toward Grouse Mountain.
Bakersfield's adventure to the top of the 3,700-foot peak started with a gondola ride to the base resort:
The squad enjoyed a wide variety of activities at the top of the mountain including getting up close and personal with wildlife (bears, deer, and birds of prey) as well as a lumberjack show, but the main attractions for the group of thrill-seeking `Runners were the zip lines.
The team geared up and set out to traverse the mountain over the five-zip line course. The tour started off easy with a short, simple ride, but ramped up to the zip line shown below, which was 1,400 feet long, hundreds of feet off the ground, and sent the `Runners soaring at top speeds of 50 miles per hour:
After coming back down from the Mountain, the `Runners split into small groups and ventured around the city at their own leisure, killing time until the trip's grand finale. The `Runners boarded a small cruise ship called Harbour Princess and enjoyed a sunset dinner cruise through Vancouver Harbour, under Lions Gate Bridge, past Burrard Inlet, and by the house boats around Granville Island. A tasty dinner and some live music -- naturally, accompanied by lively group of the `Runners singing and dancing -- tied a nice bow on an altogether delightful trip.
Gallery: (8/22/2019) MBB Canada Day 5
Friday, Aug. 23 - Day 6
The only plan for Friday is to return safely to Bakersfield!
