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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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TravisHensonDD01
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
43
Bethesda (CA) BET 0-5
94
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 1-1,0-0 Big West
Bethesda (CA) BET
0-5
43
Final
94
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
1-1,0-0 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bethesda (CA) BET 23 20 43
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 48 46 94

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runners Sprint Away In Home Opener

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Behind a standout defensive performance, 21 points from junior Travis Henson, and a double-double from team captain De'Monte Buckingham, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team cruised to a convincing victory in its home opener against Bethesda Monday night. The Roadrunners pulled away from the Flames and never looked back, earning a 94-43 victory in the Icardo Center.

"I thought Travis did a really good job of shooting the basketball and that's why we recruited him," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the Roadrunners. Henson, a transfer from Angelina College, went 7-for-10 from three-point range, coming up just one trey shy of tying CSUB's Division I single-game record in the category.

Barnes also praised the veteran leadership of several of his top returners, noting their willingness to dive on the floor and hustle despite holding a large lead. Buckingham, a redshirt senior guard, hustled to the tune of 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double as a `Runner. Senior Justin McCall did a little of everything Monday night, chipping in nine points, six rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist.

 "We showed up and the guys I challenged [to step up], they answered the call…We have a lot of work ahead of us. We have a lot of things we still have to figure out."

First Half

Bethesda matched Bakersfield's sharp shooting early on to stay close on the scoreboard, but CSUB exploded for a 17-0 run midway through the first period to grab ahold of a firm lead. The `Runners extended their advantage, often making the extra pass necessary to get open looks, including back-to-back three-pointers nailed by junior forward Henson.

A solid defensive stand saw the `Runners take a 48-23 lead into halftime. Henson led all `Runners with nine points at the break while McCall added five with two first-period blocks. As a squad, CSUB shot 50 percent from the field, limiting Bethesda to under 35 percent, but Bakersfield's best defensive half was still to come.

Second Half

Bakersfield continued to extend its lead throughout the second half, finishing the contest with its biggest lead of the night, 51 points. While the `Runner offense pulled back the throttle down the stretch, Barnes' swarming defense never relented. The `Runners limited the Flames to just 26.7 percent shooting in the second period and active hands inhibited Bethesda's three-point shooting all night long (3-of-25, .120).

Redshirt senior Justin Edler-Davis scored eight of his 12 points in the second half with an efficient shooting performance (6-of-8 FG). Point guard Czar Perry wrapped up the night with five points, six assists, and three steals while committing just one turnover. Eleven of the twelve `Runners who played on Monday night got on the scoreboard with all those who scored contributing at least four points.

CSUB shot 51.6 percent from the field in the game and 50 percent from behind the arc. The `Runners nearly doubled their opponents' rebounding effort (51-26) and Bakersfield dished out 19 assists in the home opener victory.

Next Game

Bakersfield (1-1) will take off tomorrow for a bus trip to Tucson, Ariz. where the Arizona Wildcats (3-0) will be waiting. The two teams are scheduled to clash in the McKale Center on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. (PT). With the fluid nature of the current health climate, dates, locations, and times of games are subject to change.

~GoRunners.com~
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