Senior Staff Writer
The ‘Runners hosted the Cougars of CSU San Marcos on Saturday, Feb. 9 in the Icardo Center in a victorious 82-71 effort by the ‘Runners. Senior guard Stephon Carter entered the game only 14 points shy of CSUB’s all-time scoring record, which had stood at 1,521 since it was set by Kenny Warren in 1994. By scoring 23 points on Saturday, Carter now stands alone as the ‘Runner’s top scorer with 1,530 points.
“It’s kinda picture perfect how we got it here at the home game in front of my family,” Carter said after the game. “But breaking the record wouldn’t have been any different here, Texas, Mexico, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
“I was really excited for him,” junior forward Brandon Barnes said of his teammate’s accomplishment. “He’s gonna take some shots, but he’s going to do whatever it takes to win the game. He just wants to win so bad.”
“He’s not afraid to compete,” said head coach Rod Barnes about Carter. “A ‘Stephon Carter’ only comes around every once in a while.”
The ‘Runners built an early lead of 14 points, but by the half, the Cougars, a team stacked with Division I transfers, had whittled it down to three. The rest of the game was a cruel struggle to maintain or regain whatever lead they could. In the last five minutes, the ‘Runners utilized the Cougars’ physical style of play against them by drawing four fouls, leading to four extra points from free throws.
The ‘Runners had success from the free throw line, going 19 for 26 to maintain a 73.1 free throw percentage.
The Cougars came to Bakersfield riding a 12-game winning streak and scoring 100 points in their last two games. Sporting a record of 20-4, they seemed unbeatable. The ‘Runners happily obliged them. Despite averaging 82.5 points per game, the ‘Runner defense kept the Cougars to 71 points and a meager 32 percent from beyond the three point line while forcing 19 turnovers.
The ‘Runners ran into some turnover troubles themselves early in the second half, at one point losing the ball five times in three minutes.
“I thought we lost focus, but I don’t know if it was because guys were concentrated on Stephon breaking the record,” Coach Barnes said. “I think it was because they pressured us in our guard spots.”
“Their defense was kinda sketchy so when they would trap to run and jump, they would cause turnovers,” Carter said, sharing Barnes’ opinion on their mid-game struggles to keep the ball. “You’ve got to credit their defense.”
Saturday’s victory puts the ‘Runners’ record at 9-15 on the season.
With six games left in the season and the scoring record now behind him, Carter now looks to lead the ‘Runners into San Antonio on Feb. 12 to face the University of Texas, San Antonio. The ‘Runners next home game will be Feb. 20 against South Dakota State in the Rabobank Arena.
