`Runners Set for Midwest Road Trip

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After kicking off the Western Athletic Conference schedule with a split of two home games, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team is set to take on its first two league road games this week. The Roadrunners are slated for a Midwest trip with stops scheduled at Kansas City and Chicago State.

Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's ninth-year Head Coach, shared his thoughts on Bakersfield's road trip: "Kansas City is a really good team with guys that are returning who help them...I have known their coach for a long time and he's a really good coach. We have had a lot of close games against them since we have been in the WAC...We expect both games to be difficult."

CSUB and Kansas City will square off on Thursday, Jan. 16, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) in the Swinney Center. To close out the road trip, the `Runners will tackle Chicago State at noon (CT) in the Jones Convocation Center on Saturday.

Kansas City (9-9, 2-2 WAC) has returned home after a tough road trip, taking losses at UTRGV and at NM State. The Roos put together a second-half rally against NMSU, but the host Aggies eventually earned a 74-71 win. KC looks to Javan White and Jashire Hardnett to lead the offense with both Roos averaging double-digit scoring on the season.

Chicago State (4-15, 0-4 WAC) is in the middle of a nine-game skid and the Cougars have lost 12 of their last 13 contests. On a mirrored road swing with KC, Chicago State suffered losses at NMSU and UTRGV last week. The Cougars rely on junior college transfer Xavier Johnson, who averages 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game on the season.

In the all-time series, CSUB (7-10, 1-1 WAC) has an 8-4 lead over Kansas City. The two teams split the regular-season series last year with both teams winning their respective home games. Bakersfield's 74-73 victory was solidified with 0.9 seconds remaining when the `Runners sank go-ahead free throws.

Chicago State won the first two meetings against CSUB, but the `Runners have won 12-straight games against the Cougars since then.

Both of CSUB's games this week will be streamed live via the WAC Digital Network. Isaac Lowenkron will also be courtside, calling the games via ESPN Radio. For links to the live streams, radio broadcasts, tickets, and live stats, visit the CSUB men's basketball schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~

Print Friendly Version