Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

DavidWalkerNE01
Nick Ellis
73
Winner Cal St. Fullerton CSF 7-5,1-0 Big West
67
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 5-5,0-1 Big West
Winner
Cal St. Fullerton CSF
7-5,1-0 Big West
73
Final
67
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
5-5,0-1 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Cal St. Fullerton CSF 32 41 73
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 31 36 67

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runners Drop Big West Opener to Fullerton

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Thursday night's Big West Conference opener did not go the way CSU Bakersfield's men's basketball team hoped as the Roadrunners suffered a 73-67 loss at the hands of Cal State Fullerton in the Icardo Center.

"I thought we were not aggressive enough," said Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's Head Coach, after the defeat. "We didn't attack enough, offensively nor defensively, and we've got to get that answered. In the first half, I thought we defended well and we had great looks…We didn't capitalize on it."

Barnes' squad closed a 14-point deficit to just six points with a late surge, but he commented that the final push was not enough to overcome a slow start in the second half: "I thought we hit some big shots down the stretch and did some things, but they were in control of the game. It was a valiant effort to come back, but obviously when you don't play well enough, you put yourself in a tough position."

Bakersfield trailed Cal State Fullerton by just one point at halftime, 32-31, thanks in part to the offensive catalyst that was guard David Walker. The native of Toronto, Canada heated up for nine points in the opening period, just two points shy of his season best. Walker's spark helped CSUB make a 7-0 run down the stretch and head to the locker room with some momentum.

Fullerton did not ease up in the second half and Bakersfield staggered out of the gate, falling behind by 10 points, 39-29, with 11 minutes on the clock. The Titans slowly grew their advantage to as many as 14 points at 65-41 with just over three minutes remaining. A late surge by the `Runners, ignited by the three-point shooting of point guard Kaleb Higgins, helped CSUB close the gap, but time ran out on the Bakersfield comeback.

Walker wrapped up the night with 14 points, a new season-high for the Canadian, to go with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Higgins also finished the game with 14 points for CSUB while adding five assists. Two other `Runners scored in double digits on Thursday evening as Justin McCall and Justin Edler-Davis each posted 12 points with the latter also chipping in eight rebounds.

CSUB (5-5, 0-1 BWC) will have one day to regroup and prepare for its next Big West challenge. The `Runners are preparing to host Long Beach State (3-7, 0-0 BWC) on New Year's Day. Tipoff in the Icardo Center is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PT), an earlier start than normal due to the game's regional television broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet. CSUB's regular ESPN+ broadcast will still be available outside of the Spectrum footprint.

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~
Print Friendly Version
California State University at Bakersfield Athletics loading logo