Roadrunners can't keep up with Lions in 7th straight loss
| Saturday, Dec 19 2009 11:03 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Dec 19 2009 11:04 PM
LOS ANGELES -- It seems that one hot streak by Cal State Bakersfield's opponent turns into the game-deciding sequence.
Loyola Marymount started the second half red hot to break the game open, and the Lions cruised to an 84-71 win at Gersten Pavilion.
It was the seventh straight loss for CSUB (1-8), which matches the longest losing streak in the program's four-year Division I era.
LMU sophomore guard Jarred DuBois was the difference for the second straight year. DuBois had 24 points, including four 3-pointers in the first 41/2 minutes of the second half that triggered a 23-7 run and broke the game open.
Last season, DuBois had a career-best 39 points in LMU's win over CSUB.
"They had four straight possessions when they hit two 3s in transition and two 3s against the zone -- all back-to-back," said CSUB coach Keith Brown. "That's when a 10-point game turns into a game like that."
The Lions (5-7) eventually built a 63-39 lead, and LMU's lead ranged from 17 to 21 for most of the second half until the Roadrunners chipped away in the final two minutes.
CSUB trailed 37-30 at halftime but could have been within one. Four missed free throws and an ill-advised foul by Santwon Latunde on LMU's last-second shot allowed the Lions to extend the lead.
DuBois hit a 3 on LMU's opening possession after halftime to make it 40-30 and that triggered the game-breaking scoring run.
"We knew DuBois would hit his shots," Brown said. "We were also worried about Kevin Young (a 6-foot-8 forward) who really hurt us on the offensive glass last season, and (Drew) Viney, who's been a real tough matchup for people and has had some really good games."
Young finished with seven points and four rebounds and Viney had nine points -- only one in the first half when he missed significant minutes with foul problems.
For CSUB, senior Trent Blakley had 20 points and freshman Stephon Carter had 17 before fouling out in the final mimute.
"As a team we can't put our heads down," Blakley said. "As seniors we must lead the newcomers. Over the years, I've learned to deal with this. We have 20 games left, so we have plenty of games to turn things around."
Carter is in new territory. He played on very successful Garces High School teams before arriving at CSUB.
"This is really, really hard," Carter said. "We just have to keep working hard. If we keep working hard, we'll get a victory. I just want to help the team get better."
Brown said he was pleased with how the Roadrunners "grinded it out" and pulled closer after the Lions had broke the game open.
"I thought it was the best the guys have moved without the ball in quite some time," Brown said.
Latunde, CSUB's leading rebounder this season, has been plagued by muscle soreness in his back and played sparingly in the second half. He had three rebounds and zero points.
CSUB will face LMU again on Jan. 3 in Rabobank Arena. The Roadrunners' final game before Christmas is Wednesday at the University of San Francisco.
