`Runners Ready for Final Two WAC Home Games

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – In seven seasons as members of the Western Athletic Conference, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team has competed in 50 league home games. The Roadrunners have just two home games remaining before joining the Big West Conference with CSUB hosting UT Rio Grande Valley on Thursday, Feb. 27, before welcoming NM State to the Icardo Center one last time on Saturday, Feb. 29.

"[Our time in the WAC] has been a special run for us," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "It is an accomplishment for our program, for our players, and for our coaches who have been here. It wasn't so long ago that no one thought we were going to be in a league and people definitely didn't think we were going to the Big West. I only have fond memories of our time. The challenge we have had of trying to catch New Mexico State has made us better. Some people think that doesn't help you, but it has helped us and I think it will help us going into the Big West, having had such an elite program in our league."

The seeding for the WAC Tournament is still rather undecided as the final three games of the regular season are important for the entire field. Behind WAC-leader New Mexico State (22-6, 13-0 WAC), UTRGV is tied with two other teams for the second seed with a league record of 7-6. Meanwhile CSUB is tied with Utah Valley for the sixth/seventh seeds at 5-8, just two games back of the teams fighting for second place. The 2019-20 WAC season has been wild thus far with any team standing a great chance to come away with a win on any given night, so the WAC Tournament, Mar. 12-14, is shaping up to be a weekend of Madness.

Along with Seattle U and Grand Canyon, UTRGV (12-15, 7-6 WAC) is in that bunch fighting for the second seed. Before suffering a road loss to NM State, the Vaqueros had won their five previous WAC games, proving themselves to be another dangerous team in the league. UTRGV kicked off February by handing CSUB a loss in Texas, 70-59, but will come to the Icardo Center on Thursday with a big crowd of `Runner supporters backing CSUB.

NM State clinched the WAC regular season title last week, but has not been leaps and bounds better than the rest of the WAC as in past years. The Aggies escaped with a buzzer-beating win at home against Utah Valley last week while six of their nine last WAC victories have been by single digits. Make no mistake, NMSU will be the favorite at the upcoming WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, but CSUB and the rest of the WAC are well within reach of the throne.

CSUB is one of those squads that dropped a tight decision to NMSU earlier this season as the `Runners fell on the road, 61-57, at the end of January. When the Aggies come to Bakersfield on Saturday, CSUB will be looking to send off their foes by handing NMSU a loss in the Icardo Center.

Tipoff for both games this week is set for 7 p.m. in the Icardo Center. Tickets are available at the box office on game day or ahead of time at GoRunners.com/tickets. For fans who cannot support the `Runners in person, both games will be live streamed via WatchESPN. Links to both video and radio broadcasts as well as live stats, tickets, and more are all available on the CSUB men's basketball schedule page.

`Runner fans will also have a special opportunity to check out the Chevron STEMzone before Saturday's game against NM State. The STEMzone is free for all fans and is a great place for students, parents, and teachers to learn hands-on about the science, technology, engineering and math in sports. Come out to the Icardo Center early to check out the STEMzone, which will be open from 6:15-8:15 PM.

~GoRunners.com~

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`Runners Ready for Final Two WAC Home Games