Monday, January 12, 2009

Spartans fall 61-55


So those narrow CSU Bakersfield home losses to St. Mary's (six points) and Boise State (four points) weren't the fantasy of a fervent Roadrunner fan's hopeful imagination nor simply unquantified internet rumor.

No, Bakersfield more than showed it belonged in winning 61-55 against San Jose State Monday night, thus preventing the Spartans from pulling off a Highway 99 sweep. SJSU truly found itself in a veritable 'tiger by the tail' situation despite no Buck Owens songs appearing on the Rabobank Center PA system.

There was a definite lack of shooting accuracy on San Jose State's behalf. Aiming and firing in the opening half -- 5 for 24 -- about as well as Dick Cheney on a quail shoot, the Spartans did shoot much better in the second half -- 11 for 21 -- but the game itself actually turned on rebounding.

Bakersfield grabbed 40 boards to 33 for SJSU but almost half --19 -- of the Roadrunners rebound total amazingly came at the offensive end.

17 Spartan turnovers were turned into 21 points by the Runners.

DeShawn Wright led San Jose State in scoring with 17 points and Robert Owens contributed 12.

At the half, the Roadrunners led 29-17. The Spartans had nine turnovers to five for the Runners after 20 minutes plus Bakersfield out-boarded San Jose State 26-19, including 11 offensively in the opening period.

Now it's off to the islands for a Saturday night contest against Hawaii.

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