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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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BarnesKalebBW
Big West Conference
58
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 8-18,2-12 Big West
45
CSUN CSUN 7-23,3-13 Big West
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
8-18,2-12 Big West
58
Final
45
CSUN CSUN
7-23,3-13 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 24 34 58
CSUN CSUN 23 22 45

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

`Runners Sprint Past CSUN, Advance to Big West Quarterfinals

HENDERSON, Nev. – Finally playing to its fullest potential in the biggest game of the season, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team ran away from CSUN on Tuesday night to advance out of the first round of the 2022 Hercules Tires Big West Championship. The Roadrunners overcame an early offensive stutter with defensive grit from start to finish, eliminating the Matadors with a 58-45 victory at The Dollar Loan Center.

"We have played a lot of close games and came up short, but it's a new season now," said CSUB Head Coach Rod Barnes. "I really liked what I saw and felt good about the way we finished the game. We rebounded the basketball, we played good defense, and we hit some big shots when they were trying to make a run. Overall, this was probably one of our best finishes of the year."

A tight first half gave way to an all-Bakersfield second period as the `Runners pulled away from their opponents. After leading CSUN 35-31 with 14 minutes left in the game, CSUB went on a 21-10 run with sophomore guard Kaleb Higgins leading the charge on offense. The `Runners surged all the way to the end of the game, leading by as many as 15 points, on the way to the double-digit win.

Higgins scored 11 of his game-high 15 points in the second half as Bakersfield's stifling defense rejected any thought of the Matadors rallying. The `Runners held CSUN to just 33 percent shooting on the night while CSUB converted on 49 percent of its own attempts. CSUB dominated the paint, 34-12, and the `Runners outrebounded the Matadors 35-28 on the evening.

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., Higgins added four rebounds and four assists to his stat line on Tuesday. Senior forward Shawn Stith caused problems for CSUN all night and finished with 15 points and six boards. Justin McCall, another senior, chipped in 11 points, including two electrifying dunks down the stretch, while forward Cameron Smith tallied nine points, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

One of the most vital pieces of the CSUB puzzle on Tuesday night does not jump right off the stat page. True freshman Ivan Reynolds earned his first start of the season and while the `Runner's two points, four rebounds, and three assists seem like an average night, Reynolds' biggest contribution came on the defensive end of the floor.

Barnes, who is in his 11th season in Bakersfield, tasked his freshman to guard CSUN's top scorer, Atin Wright. Reynolds played 28 minutes and smothered Wright, who went 1-for-10 from the field as the Matadors offense was often stagnant.

With the win, CSUB (8-18, 2-12 Big West) advances to the second round of the Big West Championship. The `Runners will have one day off to prepare for a battle with top-seeded Long Beach State on Thursday, Mar. 10.

Barnes also talked about the hurdle that stands in front of the `Runners, a quarterfinal matchup with The Beach: "We know we have a tough task next. We get a little bit of time to enjoy this, but we're looking forward to our next-round opponent."

Tip off on Thursday for CSUB and LBSU is scheduled for noon (PT) in Henderson. `Runner fans can make their way to Nevada and purchase tickets at GoRunners.com/Tickets to support CSUB in person. Those who cannot make the trip can follow along live with the ESPN+ broadcast. Links to all ways to follow CSUB can be found at GoRunners.com/Live.

~GoRunners.com~
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