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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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KalebHigginsNE03
Nick Ellis
61
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 7-15,2-10 Big West
60
Cal Poly CPO 5-19,1-11 Big West
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
7-15,2-10 Big West
61
Final
60
Cal Poly CPO
5-19,1-11 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 30 31 61
Cal Poly CPO 22 38 60

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runners Earn Road Win at Cal Poly, 61-60

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – In a Big Western Conference battle that came down to the final seconds, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team snapped its losing streak with a one-point road victory against Cal Poly on Tuesday night. Roadrunner guard Kaleb Higgins hit the game-winning free throw with 3.5 seconds left on the clock as Bakersfield earned a 61-60 win against the Mustangs.

One of CSUB's keys to success on Tuesday was limiting the effectiveness of Cal Poly's go-to player, Alimamy Koroma, who came into the game averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Bakersfield got Koroma into foul trouble early on and the forward played just 18 minutes while finishing with 10 points and five rebounds.

"I thought Shaun Stith did a great job of being physical with Koroma," said Rod Barnes, Head Coach of the `Runners. "I also thought we had some guys who did a great job of tracing the basketball so there wasn't an easy pass into the post…I told our guys we needed more balance in our offense. I wasn't pleased overall with our offense and defense, but we've played better and lost, so I'm happy we got the win tonight."

Higgins was a major catalyst in Bakersfield's victory, scoring all of 11 of his points in the second half. Cal Poly used a 9-0 run to take a 60-56 lead with 1:35 left on the clock. A pair of free throws by Cameron Smith pulled CSUB within two, then a defensive stop led to a Higgins jumper that tied the score with 24 seconds remaining.

With eight seconds on the clock, Bakersfield's active hands forced another Mustang turnover. Higgins went coast-to-coast on the ensuing play, drawing a foul on the way up. The guard from Pine Bluff, Ark. missed his first free throw, but the second attempt went in to put the `Runners ahead 61-60. Before Cal Poly could get up its half-court desperation heave, CSUB guard Grehlon Easter swiped the ball away as the 11th Mustang turnover of the game sealed the deal.

Higgins finished the game with a team-high 11 points to go with three rebounds. Nine different `Runners scored on Tuesday night, including nine points each from forward Shawn Stith and guard David Walker. Sixth-year `Runner Justin Edler-Davis chipped in seven points and eight rebounds against Cal Poly.

The Mustangs outscored the `Runners 28-18 in the paint, but Bakersfield's depth proved to be a big asset as the CSUB bench outscored its Mustang counterpart 31-15 on the night.

With the win, CSUB (7-15, 2-10 Big West) will return to Bakersfield briefly before heading out for a trip to Paradise. The `Runners are scheduled for a visit to Hawai'i to face the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday, Feb. 26, before heading home for the final two games of the regular season.

~GoRunners.com~
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