BOISE, Idaho – Facing a Boise State squad that has put together an impressive early-season showing, the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners used an elite defensive performance to earn a gritty road victory on Friday night. The Roadrunners held the host Broncos to their lowest scoring total in at least the last decade as Bakersfield heads home with a 46-39 win.
Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's eleventh-year Head Coach, attributed Friday night's victory to his team's defensive effort: "We're a close-knit team. We keep telling our guys they have a chance to have a special season. We always teach defense first and this team guarded on a high level tonight. I'm proud of this team because each one played a part in the win tonight. Boise State is a very good basketball team and to get this kind of win on the road is huge."
Traditionally known for coaching stingy defenses, Barnes' `Runners posted an impressive performance against their hosts. CSUB held Boise State to just 22.4 percent shooting from the field on the game, the lowest by any opponent in the Barnes Era (since 2011-12).
Junior college transfer Kaleb Higgins led all `Runners on the night with 11 points. The point guard hit a pair of clutch buckets down the stretch to help CSUB ice the game against Boise State. Another point guard, Shaun Williams, tallied seven points and four rebounds while sixth-year senior Justin Edler-Davis posted seven points and a team-high six boards.
Barnes also got clutch minutes from freshman Ivan Reynolds and sophomore Brian Washington. While their numbers did not stick out on the stat sheet, juniors Travis Henson and Cameron Smith both helped catalyze Bakersfield's defensive-minded victory.
After Boise State went up 19-18 with 5:20 remaining in the first half, the `Runners earned five-straight stops on the defensive end and held the home team scoreless the rest of the way. Smith knocked down a jumper to put CSUB ahead a few minutes later and Williams' free throws with four seconds left in the half sent the `Runners to the locker room with a 22-19 advantage.
In the opening period, CSUB's defense smothered Boise State as the Broncos shot just 24 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range. Defensive effort was the difference as the `Runners fought for every possession on their way to a halftime lead.
Bakersfield opened the second half on a small sprint and regained a seven-point lead. The `Runner offense was unable to pull away in the second half, but CSUB's defense did not allow Boise State to regain the lead at any point.
With 3:14 left on the clock, the Broncos tied the game at 36-36 while shooting free throws. Higgins then hit his daggers, knocking down clutch baskets over the outstretched hands of much taller Boise State defenders. The `Runners hit their free throws down the stretch and only let the Broncos make one field goal over the final 7:43 of the game on the way to the road victory.
With the win, the `Runners improved to 3-2 on the young season and will return home with momentum for a two-game homestand. On Friday, Dec. 3, CSUB will welcome Benedictine Mesa for an exhibition in the Icardo Center. The following weekend Bakersfield will play host to Idaho on Saturday, Dec. 11. Fans interested in watching the `Runners live can purchase season and single-game tickets at GoRunners.com/Tickets.
~GoRunners.com~
