CSUB Heads for Chicago, Kansas City in Midwest Swing

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After a pair of heartbreaking, overtime losses last week, CSU Bakersfield's men's basketball team is looking to get back on track with a couple of Western Athletic Conference road games. The Roadrunners will take a Midwest swing this week, tackling Chicago State and Kansas City before returning home for next week's Senior Night on Feb. 23.

"We kind of feel like we had some opportunities slip away from us," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach at CSUB, when asked about last week's losses. "But the guys have done a great job of being in the gym and watching film. They have come back to work...Our heads aren't down. We knew coming in that it would be a tough week for us, but I think we're in a pretty good place."

This week's contests feature rematches with Chicago State and UMKC, both of which fell to the `Runners at home in January. The UMKC Kangaroos came to town Jan. 17 and narrowly lost to CSUB in the Icardo Center. Jarkel Joiner's three free throws with 0.9 seconds on the clock pushed the `Runners past the Roos in a wild finish. Two days later, CSUB took care of business against the Cougars, defeating Chicago State 86-73.

Chicago State (3-21, 0-9 WAC) will welcome CSUB to the Jones Convocation Center in the midst of a 13-game skid. The Cougars hung around with UMKC and nearly knocked off California Baptist back in January, but they have not had much luck since then against a strong WAC group. CSU looks to senior guard Anthony Harris to lead the way with his 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Kansas City (8-16, 3-6 WAC) has won just one of its last seven contests with that lone victory coming at home against Seattle U. Junior Xavier Bishop is touted as one of the league's most dangerous point guards with an average of 15.6 points and 3.8 assists per contest and as the Roos are not to be taken lightly because of his talent.

The `Runners are looking to snap a three-game losing streak that came at the hands of the WAC's top two teams and a hot UTRGV squad. CSUB won seven of eight games before this stretch and has held strong on the defensive end as the `Runners have only allowed two of their last 11 opponents to score more than 73 points. Joiner has been the constant on the offensive end as the native of Oxford, Miss. has the second-best scoring average in the league (19.3 points per game) during WAC play.

Thursday's contest in Chicago is scheduled for a 7 p.m. (CT) tipoff. On Saturday, the `Runners and Roos will get things started at 6 p.m. (CT). Fans who are unable to attend the games can follow along live via the WAC Digital Network, CSUB's radio broadcast, or live stats. Links for all three options are available on the CSUB schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#0 Jarkel Joiner: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#0 Jarkel Joiner
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

Players Mentioned

#0 Jarkel Joiner

Players Mentioned

#0 Jarkel Joiner