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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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TazeMooreDD001
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
86
Winner Seattle U SU 11-11,4-3 WAC
79
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 10-11,4-2 WAC
Winner
Seattle U SU
11-11,4-3 WAC
86
Final
79
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
10-11,4-2 WAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Seattle U SU 32 54 86
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 31 48 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runner Rally Falls Short in Loss to Seattle U



BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A back and forth battle on the Kern Schools Court came down to the final minutes in Saturday night's Western Athletic Conference clash between CSU Bakersfield and Seattle U. After nine lead changes and five tied scores, the visiting Redhawks made a late surge and held off the Roadrunners to earn an 86-79 victory in the Icardo Center.

"This game was kind of what we expected in league play," said Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's ninth-year Head Coach. "A lot of games are going to come down to the last three minutes. We have been fortunate over the last few games to make the plays that we needed to make. Tonight, Seattle made those plays. I was proud of the effort our guys gave."

Barnes' `Runners trailed for 31 minutes in Saturday's contest, but every time CSUB found itself down the team made a run at the visiting Redhawks. Seattle U put together the most important run of the game, a 9-2 sprint over a three-minute stretch, taking a 78-71 lead over the `Runners with less 50 seconds remaining. Despite CSUB scoring eight points in the final 33 seconds, the Redhawks hit their free throws and held on for the seven-point victory.

Junior guard Taze Moore filled the stat sheet for the `Runners, tying his career high with 23 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists, five steals, and a block. Fellow junior Justin Edler-Davis heated up for 17 points, six rebounds and three steals against the Redhawks. Point guard Czar Perry chipped in 12 points and eight assists while co-captain De'Monte Buckingham added 16 points and seven rebounds on the game.

Bakersfield and Seattle U played one of the most evenly-matched games the `Runners have seen this season, but the difference on Saturday night was three-point shooting. CSUB knocked down 5-of-16 (.313) shots from behind the arc while its visitors made 11-of-26 (.423).

Seattle U hit 3-of-6 three-pointers in the first four minutes of the game, but the `Runners turned defense into offense and trailed by just one point after 12 minutes of play. The `Runners regained the lead twice in the opening half, but every time CSUB gained ground, SU answered with a deflating basket.

Bakersfield finally got the push it needed to gain a four-point lead with two and a half minutes to play. CSUB used an 8-0 run on which four different `Runners scored to take a 31-27 advantage on SU. The Redhawks answered with two final buckets, including a prayer kissed off the glass at the buzzer, taking a 32-31 lead on the `Runners into the locker room.

Seattle U put together a few early runs in the second half to gain a nine-point lead, 52-43, its biggest of the game. The `Runners went on a 9-2, capped by Edler-Davis' and-1, as CSUB took a 60-59 lead with eight minutes remaining. The game ended up tied five times and the lead changed nine times, but Seattle U's late surge helped seal the deal.

While the `Runners suffered a loss on Saturday, California Baptist (14-6, 4-2 WAC) fell at the hands of Kansas City. That result maintained CSUB's (10-11, 4-2 WAC) tie for second in the WAC standings with CBU after the first four weeks of league play.

Bakersfield has wrapped up a quick home stand and will hit the road next week to begin a three-game swing. Next week, the `Runners have meetings lined up with WAC-leading NM State (15-6, 6-0 WAC) as well as UTRGV (6-13, 2-4 WAC). The following week, Bakersfield will bus down to Riverside, Calif. to take on California Baptist in what could be a battle for second place.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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