BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A second-half surge and a clutch performance from CSU Bakersfield's Justin McCall helped the Roadrunners earn a 61-57 victory against the Ivy League's Dartmouth on Tuesday afternoon. McCall, a senior forward, posted a team-high 16 points and recorded a game-saving block with 19 seconds remaining to help CSUB seal the deal, improving Bakersfield's record to 5-4 heading into Big West Conference play next week.
"I thought I was a little too late, honestly," McCall said postgame while recounting the huge play. "I barely got it on my fingertips, so it ended up working out…I just want to make sure that I do my part. In my mind, I'm trusting that my teammates are going to do their part, so together as a whole it will all work out."
"For us to get this win, it was a huge win for us," said Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's 11th-year Head Coach. "They play a different style and a lot of times that causes us problems. In the first half they caused us a lot of problems because most of their baskets came from the three. I thought the second half we made a better adjustment and we got a chance to contest their shots."
Dartmouth enjoyed a 31-26 lead at the halftime break, thanks in part to six three-pointers made by the Big Green. The `Runners and their visitors played a tight second half with the lead changing on four-straight made baskets down the stretch.
CSUB took a 57-56 lead with 2:24 to play on a Justin Edler-Davis made jumper. After trading a few defensive stops, the Big Green looked poised to take the lead on a backdoor layup, but McCall's athletic block saved the day. McCall grabbed the ball and was fouled, sending Bakersfield's big man to the free throw line where he would hit a pair of shots and finish with his team-best 16 points.
Bakersfield made a 17-7 run in the second half, catalyzed by a pair of emphatic dunks from McCall, to take a 51-46 lead midway through the second half. On the period, the `Runners made 46 percent of their field goal attempts while holding Dartmouth to 37 percent shooting.
The Big Green hit 11-of-32 three-pointers and eight free throws on the game, scoring just 16 points on two-point baskets. CSUB outscored Dartmouth 32-16 in the paint and the `Runners forced 16 turnovers while committing just eight of their own. Bakersfield also held Dartmouth to just 57 points, 13 below the Big Green's season scoring average.
Individually, McCall ended the afternoon matinee with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with four rebounds and the one crucial block. Edler-Davis finished the game with nine points and seven rebounds while `Runner guard David Walker added 11 points (5-6 FG) off the bench.
With the win, the `Runners walk into Big West play next week with a little bit of pep in their step. CSUB will welcome Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, Dec. 30, and Long Beach State on Saturday, Jan. 1, for the first two league games of the season. Fans in attendance at Thursday's game will enjoy a special treat as the world-famous Zooperstars! come to the Icardo Center to entertain with their hilarious antics.
As a reminder, CSUB's increased COVID-19 safety protocols for spectators will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, as fans will be required to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test in order to be admitted. For more information on those requirements, visit GoRunners.com/AttendancePolicy.
~GoRunners.com~
