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Box Score

CSU Bakersfield CSUB 8-19,2-12 Big West

Long Beach St. LBSU 19-11,12-3 Big West

CSU Bakersfield CSUB

8-19,2-12 Big West

Final

Mar. 10, 2022

Long Beach St. LBSU

19-11,12-3 Big West

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB	31	30	61
Long Beach St. LBSU	34	38	72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | March 10, 2022

`Runners Battle Top-Seeded LBSU, Fall in Quarterfinal

HENDERSON, Nev. – A fierce battle that featured ten lead changes slipped away from the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team in the second half of Thursday's Big West Conference quarterfinal game. The Roadrunners, matched up with top-seeded Long Beach State, fought to the end, but the Beach pulled away late and advanced to the tournament semifinals with a 72-61 victory over CSUB.

"I'm proud of this particular team, in how they have shown class, dignity, and integrity throughout this whole season," said Rod Barnes, Bakersfield's Head Coach. "We have had a lot of close games that we lost, but they have been one of the most disciplined teams that I have ever coached throughout the season, especially when the season is tough."

Barnes continued on to talk about Thursday's battle against the Beach: "In the first half, we played with some composure. I thought our team really controlled the pace of the game…We didn't take care of the basketball and we had some breakdowns. At the end, I thought they had some guys who really stepped up and played well."

Playing in their final game in the CSUB Blue and Gold, seniors Justin McCall (19 points, five rebounds) and Justin Edler-Davis (nine points, nine rebounds) led the `Runners into the fray. Junior forward Cameron Smith also stepped up, tying his career high with 14 points to go with six boards. CSUB matched LBSU in shooting from the field (44% versus 43%), but the Beach's 8-of-18 (.444) three-point shooting and ability to take care of the ball proved to be the difference at The Dollar Loan Center.

Bakersfield and the Beach went back in forth in the first half, playing to eight lead changes. Long Beach State made a late, 8-2 run to take a seven-point lead, but CSUB finished the half on a 4-0 sprint to go into the locker room with a 34-31 deficit.

Midway through the second period, LBSU used a 15-2 run, catalyzed by multiple CSUB turnovers, to take a 54-42 lead with 9:23 left in the game. The `Runners attempted to rally, pushing hard against the Beach, but more Bakersfield miscues led to multiple LBSU baskets off turnovers. The Beach went ahead by as many as 18 points and held off CSUB for a 72-61 victory, advancing to the Big West Championship semifinals.

With the loss, Bakersfield's season has come to an end with the `Runners posting an 8-19 record. Barnes and CSUB know that many of their close losses could have bounced the other way, so Bakersfield's Head Coach will look to this Fall as his next opportunity to lead the `Runners back to the NCAA Tournament.

"We'll be back. We'll be stronger and we'll be different. That's not to take anything away from anybody else, but we've got to grow from this, and we will."

~GoRunners.com~

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