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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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JarkelJoinerMN05
Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
67
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 16-10, 7-5 WAC
75
Winner UMKC UMKC 10-16, 5-6 WAC
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
16-10, 7-5 WAC
67
Final
75
UMKC UMKC
10-16, 5-6 WAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 24 43 67
UMKC UMKC 36 39 75

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

CSUB's 2nd-Half Rally Comes Up Short At Kansas City



KANSAS CITY, Mo. – CSU Bakersfield's men's basketball team nearly overcame a slow start in the first half thanks to a fervent second-half effort, but Kansas City held on for a 75-67 victory over the Roadrunners on its home court Saturday night.

"I thought we were a lot more aggressive after halftime," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "I thought our guys really fought back and showed some heart out there. We can't put ourselves in the position we did on the road. I don't want to take anything from [UMKC], we just didn't get the job done on the road."

Sophomore Jarkel Joiner sparked CSUB's late surge, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the second period and sinking six-straight baskets for the `Runners during one stretch. Bakersfield drew within three points with less than eight minutes remaining in the game, but the `Runners were unable to get the final push they needed to complete the comeback.

With the loss, CSUB fell to 16-10 overall and 7-5 in Western Athletic Conference play. The `Runners entered the night tied for second in the league standings and could still be tied for third at the end of the evening depending on the results between UTRGV and Utah Valley.

The Roos pounded the paint early in the game and were able to compound a couple of big runs to pull away from CSUB. From a 14-14 tie in the first half, UMKC went on a 9-0 spurt to gain some separation and was able to hold off each of Bakersfield's attempts to climb back in. CSUB gave up a 10-4 run to end the half, heading to the locker room trailing 24-36.

CSUB had six different scorers in the opening half, but Bakersfield saw several shots go in and out as the `Runners converted on just 28% of their field goal attempts. Joiner, senior Rickey Holden, and redshirt sophomore Justin Edler-Davis each tallied five points while redshirt senior James Suber pulled down six rebounds.

Kansas City built its biggest lead of the game at 43-27 almost four minutes into the second half. The `Runners finally got their momentum rolling and drew within six points at 43-49. Joiner started heating up, scoring 10 points over a stretch of four minutes to pull Bakersfield within three points at 50-53. A UMKC three-pointer followed by a pair of free throws stopped the rally and put the Roos up by eight again.

The `Runners continued to probe at the UMKC lead, but the two teams traded points all the way down to the final seconds. The Roos held off the furious surge thanks in large part to a 17-of-18 performance from the free throw line in the second half.

As a squad, CSUB shot 50% from the field in the final 20 minutes while holding the Roos to 43.5% shooting and a 20% clip from three-point range. The `Runners also outrebounded Kansas City 21-9 in the second period and CSUB created 22 points off of second chance opportunities Saturday night.

Joiner, a native of Oxford, Miss., wrapped up the contest with a game-high 19 points while Holden added 13 and redshirt senior Damiyne Durham chipped in 10. Holden, another `Runner who hails from Mississippi, added five assists against the Roos. James Suber, a redshirt senior, was a monster in the paint, pulling down 11 rebounds before fouling out late in the second half.

The `Runners (16-10, 7-5 WAC) will return to Bakersfield to host California Baptist next Saturday, Feb. 23. Next week's matchup is CSUB's last in the Icardo Center for the 2018-19 season. A Senior Night ceremony will take place shortly before the 7 p.m. tipoff while halftime will feature Homecoming festivities for the CSUB campus.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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