`Runners Hit Road to Close Regular Season

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The final week of the regular season has arrived and only two road games stand between CSU Bakersfield's men's basketball team and the Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. Before the Roadrunners can make a run at the tournament title, they will have two tough challenges this week when they visit Seattle U and Utah Valley.

CSUB has not played either opponent since the opening week of WAC play in January and CSUB Head Coach Rod Barnes expects his team and his opponents to be different this time around: "We're battled tested now. Both coaches know their teams better now and I know our team better. Utah Valley has been one of the more consistent teams. Seattle has had some injuries and I think they are back to playing again…Next week, there's going to be a lot of people who get to Vegas and believe that they can win it, and we'll be one of those teams."

Back in January, CSUB took a 12-point victory in the Icardo Center over a roughed up Seattle U squad. CSUB's all-time record against the Redhawks improved to 15-6 with the win and CSUB has now won 11 of the last 13 meetings.

After a rough stretch in which they won only one of ten games, Seattle U (16-13, 4-10 WAC) has taken wins in three of their last five including a road victory over California Baptist last Saturday. Over that stretch, five Redhawks have averaged over 11 points per game including team-best averages of 13.7 from Myles Carter and Morgan Means.

Utah Valley suffered a tough defeat at the hands of CSUB and Taze Moore two months ago in Bakersfield. Moore corralled a missed shot just before the buzzer and put the game away with a last-second kiss off the glass, lifting CSUB past UVU, 73-71. All-time, the `Runners have won 13 of their 20 games against the Wolverines, but UVU had taken the previous three contests before January's buzzer beater.

The Wolverines have had a great season thus far, posting a 21-8 record (10-4 WAC) while sitting tied with Grand Canyon for second place in the WAC standings right now. UVU looks to Jake Toolson and Conner Toolson to lead the Wolverine offense to a potent 77.4 points per game.

CSUB will start the week in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, Mar. 7, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in the Redhawk Center. On Saturday, Mar. 9, the `Runners will close the regular season at 7 p.m. (MT) in Orem, Utah. Links to live stats, live streams, radio broadcasts, and more information can be found on the CSUB men's basketball schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#3 Taze Moore: F; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Taze Moore
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#3 Taze Moore

Players Mentioned

#3 Taze Moore