Sports Editor

Excitement was in the air for the highly-anticipated game between New Mexico State and the CSU Bakersfield men’s basketball team on Saturday.

The Icardo Center was sold out for just the third time in school history and the first time since the 1993 season, however, the rival Aggies spoiled the special night for the Roadrunners.

The Aggies beat the Roadrunners 68-67 thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from junior guard Ian Baker in double overtime.

“It was a great game to coach,” said CSUB coach Rod Barnes. “I thought both teams really put it on the line.

“The kid hit a great shot. It was a great game, great atmosphere, great for the city of Bakersfield and for CSUB. Great for our program.”

With CSUB (14-6, 4-1 WAC) holding on to a 66-65 lead with nine seconds left in double overtime, redshirt-junior forward Jaylin Airington, who led all CSUB players in scoring with 16 points and came into this game as the Roadrunners best free-throw shooter (.769), was fouled and sent to the free throw line.

Airington made his first free throw attempt, however, he missed his second free throw attempt and was rebounded by Baker, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

That set the stage for Baker’s game-winner.

He took it down the floor and shot a three that was well contested by Airington, but Baker’s shot went through the net as time expired.

The Aggies bench ran out on the floor and began celebrating.

“First of all, I didn’t want to foul him,” said Airington. “I contested it as well as I could. He just made a big play.”

Barnes questioned if there was a technical foul that should’ve been issued to the New Mexico State bench due to the running on the floor and time still being left on the game clock. The referees reviewed the play but determined that there was no time left in after the ball went through the basket.

The Aggies (13-8, 5-1 WAC) also ended the ’Runners undefeated conference record, their undefeated home record and ended their six game win streak.

“We just didn’t execute like we were supposed to,” said junior guard Dedrick Basile.

Despite the final score not being in CSUB’s favor, senior forward Kevin Mays, Basile and Airingtion said that they still feel they are the better team.

Mays, Basile and Airington also said that this game isn’t going to be easy to get over.

According to CSUB athletics, there was 3,880 in attendance for the game. Barnes said that it was a special night all the way around.

Mays added in the sentiment.

“(The crowd) definitely brought energy to the building and gave everybody a good game,” Mays said on the atmosphere of the game.

The Roadrunners built an early 6-0 lead and went into halftime with a 31-20 lead. CSUB’s defense held the Aggies to 28 percent shooting in that half.

In the second half, the Aggies stayed within reach for the first 10 minutes of the second half, with the score being 47-34 and 10:10 seconds remaining. New Mexico was able to keep the ’Runners from making a field goal for the rest of the game. During that period the Aggies were able to get back into the game as sophomore forward Pascal Siakam, who had 21 points and eight rebounds in the game, helped New Mexico tie the game 48-48 with a layup with 16 seconds in the game.

CSUB had an opportunity to win the game in regulation when CSUB redshirt-sophomore guard Brent Wrapp had a good look at a three-pointer but it clanged off the rim.

In the first overtime period, CSUB’s Airington and junior guard Dedrick Basile both made shots to get the Roadrunners out to an early 54-48 lead.

The Aggies responded cutting the lead to two points.

Basile was then fouled and sent to the free throw line. Basile made one of his two free throws giving CSUB a 53-50 lead.

Pascal answered with a pair of made free throws cutting the lead to 53-52 with 2:51 left in the first overtime period.

Airington was then fouled and made one of his two free throws putting the score to 54-52 with 1:47 seconds left.

In the Aggies next possession, Pascal stepped up and made a shot tying the game at 54-54.

Both teams would have chances to take the lead but neither team was able to convert, which sent the game to the second overtime period.

Senior center Aly Ahmed had 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Basile added 12 points.

The Aggies were led by Siakam, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds.

CSUB will play at Grand Canyon University (18-2, 5-0 WAC) on Thursday at 7 p.m.