Sports Editor
It was the shot that made CSU Bakersfield men’s basketball history.
With the score all tied at 54 with 10 seconds remaining, the CSUB men’s basketball team had one last chance to beat rival New Mexico State University in regulation on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nev.
Photo by AJ Alvarado/The Runner
Junior guard Dedrick Basile sized-up the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year and sophomore forward Pascal Siakam. Basile stepped back and hit a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Siakam to give the Roadrunners a 57-54 win for their first Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship and for the first time they punched their ticket to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“When coach (Rod) Barnes has that much confidence in me, I got to come through for him,” Basile said on taking the last shot. “It’s just one of the greatest feelings ever that’s all I could say.”
New Mexico State had been a thorn in CSUB’s side not just this year but all-time. This was the first time CSUB had beaten New Mexico State in 11 meetings.
“We wanted Dedrick to take the shot. This was the whole plan,” said Barnes. “He shot it when we wanted. It’s just a great team effort.
“I love these kids. This is a special bunch of kids and they needed this. This is what it’s all about. They’ve worked hard enough and thank God they got a blessing tonight.”
Basile led the game in scoring with 18 points on 8 of 16 shooting from the floor and earned the WAC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award.
CSUB never trailed once in the game and led for over 38 minutes of the 40 minutes in the game.
“It was just our night, our turn (and) it was our time,” Barnes said.
Photo by AJ Alvarado/The Runner
CSUB redshirt-freshman guard Damiyne Durham, who transferred from Baylor University, scored 15 points for the Roadrunners and was one rebound short from a double-double with nine.
“I’m not going to say it’s the best performance I’ve had, but it’s definitely the most exciting that I’ve ever been through,” said Durham.
This win was a little more special to CSUB redshirt-junior guard Jaylin Airington as he celebrated his 23rd birthday following the win.
“I’m lost for words. God is good. It’s a blessing,” said Airington. “It means a lot for my birthday. I could remember this for years to come.”
For CSUB senior forward Kevin Mays, who was battling foul trouble throughout the game, he had the role of guarding Siakam and held him to just 11 points, about nine points below his average of 20.3 points.
“This team is a great team and we are definitely going to make some noise in the tournament,” Mays said. “I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
CSUB earned the 15th seed in the West Region of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and will play second-seeded Oklahoma University in Oklahoma City on Friday March 18.
“It’s a lifetime dream right there and there is no other team I would rather go (to the NCAA tournament) with than this team right here,” Basile said.
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