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CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners vs Bethesda at Icardo Center
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
66
Idaho UI 0-4,0-2 Big Sky
76
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 2-2,0-0 Big West
Idaho UI
0-4,0-2 Big Sky
66
Final
76
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
2-2,0-0 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Idaho UI 37 29 66
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 44 32 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Well-Rounded Offense Leads Bakersfield Past Idaho



BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After opening a 19-point, second-half lead against the Idaho Vandals, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team cruised to a 76-66 victory in the Icardo Center Saturday afternoon. The Roadrunners (2-2) relied on a well-balanced offense once again to pick up their second victory of the young season.

"Every game we thank God that we have the opportunity to play," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "Many of my colleagues are having games canceled and postponed, so we're hopeful that we can continue to move forward."
 
Barnes went on to address his squad's performance on Saturday: "I felt comfortable playing ten guys and I still believe we've got some other guys that can contribute in certain situations…I'm pleased overall and I'm looking forward to next week, as we start to finish up with finals, that we can get some more work in because there's some things we have got to shore up as we prepare for Big West play."

CSUB enjoyed a trio of double-digit scorers on Saturday afternoon while a total of 11 `Runners got on the scoreboard against Idaho. Leading the way on the offensive front for Bakersfield was point guard Czar Perry, who tallied a game-high 14 points. Fellow seniors Shawn Stith and Justin Edler-Davis scored 11 points each while the latter added eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

As a team, the `Runners shots 51 percent from the field, but CSUB was only able to convert on 1-of-9 (.111) three-pointers. The visiting Vandals shot well on the blue Valley Strong Court, especially from outside, relying on 13-of-23 (.565) three-pointer shooting to keep them in the game.

"[Idaho] came out and we knew they were a good three-point shooting team, but we didn't know they were that good," Barnes said. "They hit some contested shots early on and we couldn't get away from them. I thought our defensive pressured and our depth really got to them in the beginning of the second half."

First Half

The `Runner offense got out to a quick start, scoring 13 points in the first four minutes, while the Bakersfield defense kept the visiting squad at a distance. CSUB opened its lead to as many as 12 points at 11:41, but Idaho converted on 7-of-10 three-pointers in the opening period to stay close to the `Runners. Bakersfield went to the locker room with a halftime lead of 44-37.

Perry, Bakersfield's starting point guard, led the `Runners with 10 points in the first twenty minutes. Fellow senior Edler-Davis chipped in nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. CSUB (57.1%) and Idaho (58.3%) nearly matched each other in field goal efficiency on the period while the `Runners outrebounded the Vandals, 18-9.

Second Half

Bakersfield stretched its lead out to 19 points with nine minutes left in the second period at 63-44. With just over four minutes remaining, Idaho started heating up from outside again and pulled within 10 points, but CSUB would not allow its visitor to get any closer and earned a 76-66 victory in the Icardo Center. In the 31-year history of the building, the CSUB men's basketball team now boasts an all-time record of 247-46 (.843) in the Icardo Center.

The balanced `Runner offense continued for CSUB in the second half with nine different `Runners scoring in the period. Stith and fellow forward Travis Henson both scored team-highs of six points for the half. The Bakersfield defense held the Vandals to just 35 percent shooting while CSUB continued to score efficiently, posting a .444 clip over the final 20 minutes.

Perry's season-high 14 points highlighted a well-rounded day for the `Runners. Senior center Ronne Readus continued to patrol the paint for Bakersfield, adding five points, six rebounds, and two blocks. CSUB outrebounded its opponent 36-23 and the `Runners dominated the paint on scoring (42-16) and second-chance points (19-5).

Next Game

The `Runners now have one week to prepare for their next game. On Saturday, Dec. 19, CSUB will host Life Pacific in what is currently scheduled to be Bakersfield's last non-conference game before the team begins its first campaign through the Big West Conference. For the most up-to-date information and possible schedule changes, stay tuned to @CSUB_MBB on Twitter (link above).
~GoRunners.com~
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