Bakersfield tops the Spartans 82-77

a pre-game view of CSUB's campus arena

Some games, it's just seems impossible individually and/or collectively to establish a rhythm or continuity. That's when a grinding-it-out slog mentality becomes a necessity. Tonight, Cal State Bakersfield performed better at it and came away with an 82-77 win.

Adrian Oliver led the way for San Jose with 26 points and Justin Graham contributed 16. Sophomore Stephon Carter paced the hosts with a personal best 32 points. Donavan Bragg added 20.

With 2:45 remaining, it was 69 all. Adrian Oliver put in a shot down low with two minutes showing to make it 71-69.

On a late foul call after Calvin Douglas knocked the ball away, Bakersfield's Stephon Carter made a pair of free throws to tie up the game.

After Oliver missed a trey attempt, Keith Shamburger nagged the carom. Oliver subsequently was fouled and he made 1-2 at the foul line putting SJSU up by one.

Roadrunner guard Alex Johnson then nailed a trey at the 1:04 mark, elevating Bakersfield to a 74-72 margin, a lead they never relinquished.

Next time down, Oliver missed off the front rim and it became a free throw line march after that until the horn sounded giving Bakersfield the 82-77 victory.

BK came in shooting 41% and averaging 70 points a game. The Roadrunners shot 47% on the night to San Jose State's 51%.

At the half, it was 44-39 in favor of the hosts, the same point differential as at the end. San Jose State shot 52% but the Roadrunners were just behind at 50%. Eight Spartan turnovers and seven BK offensive rebounds provided Bakersfield greater offensive opportunities.

At that point, Stephon Carter was the gigantic man on the Roadrunner campus with a remarkable 19 points and seven rebounds.

Remember the 1971 crime film "Get Carter," starring Michael Caine? SJSU should have watched it on the way down to Bakersfield because the sophomore was mucho en fuego in the initial 20 minutes.