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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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RonneReadusNE04
Nick Ellis
70
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 4-8,0-0 WAC
76
Winner Idaho UI 4-6,0-0 Big Sky
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
4-8,0-0 WAC
70
Final
76
Idaho UI
4-6,0-0 Big Sky
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 34 29 7 70
Idaho UI 35 28 13 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Vandals Best `Runners in Overtime Thriller

MOSCOW, Idaho – An overtime thriller went the way of the home team on Saturday night as the Idaho Vandals held off the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners for a 76-70 victory. The `Runners had a game-winning opportunity at the end of regulation, but the shot did not go and the host Vandals outlasted CSUB in overtime in a thrilling game that featured 16 lead changes.

"We have to give Idaho some credit," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "They hit some shots and there were moments where we didn't play good defense. We have a lot of work ahead of us. We have been making some good progress, but I thought today was a setback. We have to try to shore up our defense. We'll get home and try to get healthy."

The `Runners and Vandals went back and forth early in the game with the visiting squad trailing most of the way. About halfway through the opening period, CSUB went on an 8-0 run to gain a 19-15 lead with redshirt junior De'Monte Buckingham shooting well from three-point range. As quickly as the `Runners surged ahead, Idaho responded right back with a 15-0 run of its own, spurred by a trio of treys from guard Chance Gervin.

Not to be outdone, Bakersfield rallied to put pressure on the Vandals heading into halftime. CSUB ended the period on a 15-5 run including a Greg Lee jumper just before the buzzer and the `Runners went to the locker room trailing Idaho, 34-35.

Idaho converted on 58.3 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half, but Bakersfield managed to stay close with defensive pressure. The `Runners forced 11 Idaho turnovers in the first period. Four `Runners had six-points or more including eight from Buckingham. Czar Perry chipped in three points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal and block in the half.

The second half was close all the way to the buzzer with neither team able to gain more than a six-point lead. The final 20 minutes featured nine lead changes and four tied scores, including 63-63 with 11.9 seconds remaining. Bakersfield had a look at the last shot as Perry dumped the ball off to a slashing Taze Moore. Despite Moore fighting through a den of hacking Vandals, the referees made no call and the two teams headed to overtime.

The Vandals were the better team in extra time, gaining a 72-66 lead with 49 seconds remaining. The `Runners only made 2-of-9 field goals in overtime and Idaho converted 7-of-10 free throws to seal the deal. Idaho held off CSUB for a 76-70 victory, earning another win in its tough non-conference schedule.

Junior college transfer Ronne Readus posted his best performance as a `Runner with his first double-double (11 points and 16 rebounds). Perry, another junior college transplant, did a little of everything with nine points, four rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks. Junior guard De'Monte Buckingham posted a team-high 16 points to go with five rebounds and four steals against Idaho.

With the loss, CSUB fell to 4-8 on the season with three games remaining in non-conference play. The `Runners will return home for a quick stop at the Icardo Center before heading back out on the road. CSUB will host Montana State on Thursday, Dec. 19, and then travel to future Big West Conference foe Cal Poly on Saturday, Dec. 21.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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