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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
58
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0-1,0-0 Big West
95
Winner UCLA UCLA 1-0,0-0 Pac-12
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
0-1,0-0 Big West
58
Final
95
UCLA UCLA
1-0,0-0 Pac-12
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 19 39 58
UCLA UCLA 47 48 95

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

CSUB Falls to No. 2 UCLA in Season Opener

LOS ANGELES – The 2021-22 basketball season started off with a big test for the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. Head Coach Rod Barnes and his squad faced off against the second-ranked team in the country, UCLA, in a road game Tuesday night and the host Bruins bested the `Runners, 95-58.

"We had scouted them really well and we knew we had to play a really great game," Barnes said after the game. "I was concerned because they are a team that has been together and we have a bunch of guys that haven't been together. I was concerned about runs that they would make and they made their run and they did what the No. 2 team in the country is supposed to do…When you play teams that are that talented, that good, when you give them room to get comfortable, then it gets worse instead of getting better."

Barnes continued on to mention the moments of defensive strength his team showed on Tuesday: "For a while there, our defense didn't allow them to [get comfortable], but then when they pulled through, we didn't play well enough to keep the pressure on them. It was all the pressure on us of trying to get back in the game."

The two teams went back and forth in the first eight minutes of the contest with stout defense slowing the offensive output. UCLA used a 15-2 run midway through the first half to gain some separation and created a 26-11 advantage. The Bruins continued surging and found themselves with a 47-19 lead at the halftime break.

The `Runner offense hit just 26 percent of its shots in the opening period while the Bruins got hot midway through. Guard David Walker tallied four points, four rebounds, and an assist in the first half for Bakersfield. Point guards Dalph Panopio and Shaun Williams led the team with five points each while Panopio chipped in three boards. UCLA enjoyed a trio of Bruins tallying 10 points at the break.

The Bruins built their biggest lead of the game at 75-39 with just under 10 minutes left in the game. Bakersfield used a 7-0 run in to briefly cut its deficit under 30 points at 75-46 with 7:09 left in the second half. The `Runners turned defense into offense and a couple flashy plays showed the Bruins that CSUB came to play.

No. 2 UCLA finished the season opener with a 95-58 victory over CSUB, but the `Runners managed to keep pace with their hosts in the second half. UCLA outscored Bakersfield just 48-39 in the second period and the `Runners finished the final 20 minutes with a .485 shooting percentage.

Walker led the way for the `Runners with 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Justin McCall posted a team-high 11 points against the Bruins while Williams finished with 10 points. Panopio tallied eight points and four rebounds in his `Runner debut.

CSUB (0-1) will return to Bakersfield and prepare for its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 13. The `Runners are set to host Life Pacific in the Icardo Center with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. (PT). Fans can visit GoRunners.com/tickets for information on season-long and single-game tickets. Those who cannot attend the game in person can watch live on ESPN+.

~GoRunners.com~
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