South Dakota 68, Bakersfield 66Recap | Stats
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – (CSUB Media Relations) A pair of second-half technical fouls on Bakersfield leading scorer Aly Ahmed gave the South Dakota Coyotes a new lease on the game as they overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat the ‘Runners 68-66 Sunday evening at the Icardo Center.
Ahmed was first whistled for goaltending on a free throw from Trey Norris with 13:39 to play in the half. Following a brief argument with an official, Ahmed slapped the ball in his hands and was issued the first technical. The second came just seconds later after he continued to protest the decision.
CSUB led by 12 points at the time but its offense struggled from that point forward with the Roadrunners making just five more field goals for the remainder of the half. The ‘Runners led 56-45 with 7:45 remaining in the game but were outscored 23-10 as the Coyotes came back for the win. CSUB was also held without a field goal for five minutes during that same period which allowed South Dakota to take the lead for good on a Tyler Larsen layup with 1:50 remaining.
The Roadrunners played a tremendous first half both offensively and defensively, shooting over 55 percent from the field and leading 40-29 to the break. At the time the Roadrunners defense forced 10 South Dakota turnovers which led to 17 points for CSUB. After the Ahmed ejection, the Coyotes found it easier to drive and score in the paint, scoring 14 second-half points in the key.
Turnovers hurt Bakersfield in the second half as the Roadrunners had two key possessions inside a minute to play but couldn’t manage a shot. The first came with 31 seconds remaining and the ‘Runners trailing by two and Dashawn Richmond was whistled for traveling. Following a five-second violation on the inbound play by South Dakota, the ‘Runners were faced with a chance to tie again but turned the ball over on the inbound pass from Brent Wrapp intended for Kevin Mays.
Jaylin Airington scored once more with nine seconds remaining but free throws from the Coyotes helped South Dakota hold on for the two-point win.
The Roadrunners were led by Richmond and Mays, both of whom scored 14 points for CSUB. Mays also added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
The Roadrunners were 7-of-24 shooting in the second half and 23-of-53 in the game for a 43 percent night from the floor. CSUB was 0-of-7 from three-point range in the second half and just 3-of-18 on the game.