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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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BrianWashingtonDD01
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
59
Benedictine Mesa Ben 0-3
87
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 3-2,0-0 Big West
Benedictine Mesa Ben
0-3
59
Final
87
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
3-2,0-0 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Benedictine Mesa Ben 31 28 59
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 43 44 87

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runners Race Past Redhawks for Exhibition Victory

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A steadfast defensive effort combined with a solid night on the shooting end of the floor led to a big exhibition win for the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team Friday night. The Roadrunners defeated Benedictine Mesa in the Icardo Center, 87-59, in front of their home crowd.

"I thought our first group of guys went out there and really set the tone for us and got us off to a good start," said Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's eleventh-year Head Coach. "Tonight, I wanted to try to play a lot of guys, get some guys some time on the floor."

Bakersfield enjoyed 12 men playing against BenU and all 12 `Runners scored at least four points. CSUB shot 48 percent from the field while holding the Redhawks to just 33 percent shooting. The `Runners created 30 points out of 20 BenU turnovers and CSUB enjoyed a 42-14 scoring advantage in the paint in the exhibition victory.

Barnes also applauded the effort of forward Brian Washington, who has returned from injury to play quality minutes the last two games. On Friday night, Washington finished with eight points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. "Brian is getting healthy and getting adjusted to what we are doing. We thought, coming into the season, he would be one of our best rebounders and one of our best post defenders and I think the last two games he has proven that."

CSUB slowly pulled away from its visitor in the first half and enjoyed a 43-31 advantage at the break. Bakersfield used defense to continue to apply the pressure on BenU, surging all the way to its biggest lead of the night at the end of the game, a 28-point margin.

The `Runners (3-2) will have plenty of time to prepare for their next game with the Idaho Vandals coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 11.

"We're just going to really go back to the basics with what we're doing offensively and defensively," Barnes said about his preparations for CSUB's next game. "Idaho is a good team; it has always been a close game between us and we want to make sure that as they come in here, with a week off, that we're well prepared."

Next Saturday's game in the Icardo Center is scheduled for a 7 p.m. (PT) tipoff. Make sure to get out early and bring the kids for a special visit from Spiderman! Season tickets and single-game tickets can be purchased ahead of time at GoRunners.com/tickets.

~GoRunners.com~
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