By David Aliaga
Staff Writer
Issiah Grayson, a senior, looks to make a pass on Nov. 2
The California State University, Bakersfield men’s basketball team saw its first action of the 2013-2014 season in an exhibition game against Occidental College in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Icardo Center where the Roadrunners rolled past the Tigers with a final score of 104-63.
The Tigers kept it interesting in the opening minutes as they came out with high intensity while Bakersfield looked to melt away the offseason rust. Occidental built an early 6-10 lead with 17:04 to go in the first, but a dunk by senior forward Corey Hall shifted the momentum in Bakersfield’s favor. The score was tied, 17-17, for the last time with nine minutes remaining in the opening half as Bakersfield showcased a scoring clinic. The ‘Runners’ closed the half on a 35-10 run as they built a demanding 25-point lead.
CSUB continued their aggression in the second half as they expanded their lead by shooting a little over 55% from the field. The ‘Runners’ size and athleticism proved to be the benefiting factors as Occidental could not find a way to limit CSUB’s points from the inside.
“I wanted guys to do what we needed to do to win. One of our biggest things today was we thought we can get the ball in the paint through the drive or get in inside on a pass,” said head coach Rod Barnes on the team’s ability to score in the key.
Tyler Smith, a junior, tries to make a dunk on Nov. 2.
Barnes was pleased with the way his team stuck to the game plan as they pounded the ball down low resulting in 72 points in the paint compared to Occidental’s 22.
Redshirt senior point guard, Issiah Grayson, led the team with 14 points and eight assists after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury.
His play making abilities gave the ‘Runners a much more controlled offensive set as Bakersfield shared the ball inside and out.
After watching his team struggle without a point guard last year, Grayson said, “It just felt good to be back out there, and to feel the crowd atmosphere. It was just great, I’m just glad to back with my brothers.”
Heading into the game, CSUB outmatched Occidental as they were bigger, stronger, and much more athletic. Despite the Tigers being a Division III opponent, the ‘Runners’ used the game as a learning tool.
When asked about their mindset going into the game, R-Sr. guard, Zach Lamb said, “It was more about just working on what we do, so we can get used to playing how we play.”
CSUB opens up regular season play on the road on Friday, Nov. 8 against Washington State. They will return to the Icardo Center on Monday, Nov. 11 as they face UC Merced at 7 p.m.
