BAKERSFIELD, Calif.,- CSUB men's basketball is back at home
Saturday night as they look to return to the win column against Cal State
Northridge (5-13, 2-6 Big West) at 7 P.M. on campus at the Icardo Center.
The Roadrunners (11-10) enter on the heels of a 78-70 loss at San Jose State, a
loss which snapped their four-game winning streak. It was also a game that the
'Runners dominated early, but were unable to hold a 19-point first half lead,
an issue that has been a part of many Roadrunner games this season.
"It's just one of those things that happened at the
beginning of the season," said head coach Rod Barnes. "It's just college
basketball, I've seen several teams do it, especially when you're trying to
play a fast pace it's going to happen to you. I'm disappointed in our last
couple of efforts having a big lead and not being able to hold it, it's
something we have to learn from and not be alarmed by something we need to pay
attention to."
This will be the second meeting of the season between the
'Runners and Matadors with CSUB taking the first meeting in Northridge on Nov.
30 74-67. In that game CSUB led by as many as 17 in the second half before
Northridge went on a 26-3 run to take the lead late. CSUB however capitalized
on a late flagrant foul by the Matadors with both Issiah Grayson (Jr., Atlanta,
Ga., Southern Idaho CC) and Mo Hughley (Jr., Queens Village, N.Y., Paris CC)
connecting on key free throws as they recaptured and extended their lead in the
final minutes to get the road win.
Tyrone White (Jr., Portland, Ore., North Idaho CC) and
Grayson led the way with 17 points apiece in a game that saw the 'Runners shoot
over 60% from both the field and from three-point range. Northridge's Stephen
Maxwell made his first appearance of the season and scored 20 points for the
Matadors in the loss.
The Roadrunners are led by Grayson who is averaging 11.4 ppg
and shooting 45% from the field and 46% from three point range. Stephon Carter
(Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) who recently hit the 1,000 point milestone
on the road, enters averaging 11.2 ppg and now has 1,012 points on his career
which is the 11th most in CSUB history.
The Matadors enter on a three-game losing streak following a
70-68 heartbreaker against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday night. Northridge
trailed by as many as 10 in the second half before tying the game with just
over a minute remaining before Fullerton's Kwame Vaughn scored on a layup with
four seconds remaining to send Northridge to their fifth loss in their last six
games.
This will be the 'Runners seventh game against a team from
the Big West Conference, CSUB is currently 6-0 against Big West teams this
season.
Tip off is scheduled for 7 P.M. at the Icardo Center.
Reserved chair back seating is available for $20, Bleacher seating $10 with
senior and kids tickets available for $5.
