Santa Clara edges CSUB, 84-81
| Friday, Nov 13 2009 11:26 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Nov 14 2009 12:11 AM
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Michael Fagans / The Californian CSUB's Stephon Carter drives the lane against Santa Clara's Niyi Harrison, left, and teammate Ben Dowdell during the first half of their game at Rabobank Arena on Friday night in Bakersfield.
Michael Fagans / The Californian CSUB's George DeLeon, left, and teammate Santwon Latunde battle Santa Clara's Michael Santos and Chris Cunningham for a rebound during the first half of their game at Rabobank Arena on Friday night in Bakersfield.
Michael Fagans / The Californian CSUB's Bryan Emanuel tries to stop Santa Clara's Robert Smith from getting into the paint during the first half of their game at Rabobank Arena on Friday night in Bakersfield.
It was a season opener there for the taking, at least in the minds of Cal State Bakersfield's players and coaches.
But Santa Clara guard Kevin Foster dashed the Roadrunners' hopes by nailing a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 5.8 seconds left, and the Broncos went on to an 84-81 win over CSUB Friday night before an announced crowd of 2,235 at Rabobank Arena.
"We look at this not so much Santa Clara beating us but us beating ourselves," said senior center Santwon Latunde, who had 18 points and a and career-best 15 rebounds. "If we fix some of these things, we'd win by 10 points."
The trouble spots were 22 CSUB turnovers, only 17-of-26 free throws and too many missed shots, particularly in the first half when the Roadrunners only shot 31 percent.
CSUB had one horrendous stretch, being outscored 16-0 after Trent Blakley's 3-pointer had tied the game 46-46 with 17:34 left.
"We should not have given up 16 straight points like that," said Blakley, who missed a dunk during that stretch that saw CSUB go 0-for-9 from the field with four turnovers. "We had some small miscommunication when we went to push the ball. But we should have never been in that position."
The Roadrunners fought back, tying it 67-67 and even taking a 70-68 lead on Blakley's 3-pointer with 5:58 left. But that was the only time the Roadrunners led in the second half.
"I was proud we came back after being down 16," CSUB coach Keith Brown said. "Obviously, we need to take better care of the basketball -- 22 turnovers, we shot ourselves in the foot."
Last season as a freshman, Foster broke current NBA star Steve Nash's Santa Clara school record for 3-pointers in a season. In the first half Friday, Foster was scoreless, going 0-for-10 from the field, before getting red hot in the second half. He finished with a game-high 21 points.
None was bigger than the game-winner, after Latunde had hit one of two free throws with 19.3 seconds left to make it 80-80.
The Broncos set a screen to free Foster from Donavan Bragg's defense. Latunde jumped out to help, and Foster dribbled toward the top of the key where Bragg resumed his defense. Foster's high-arching shot, despite Bragg's tight defense, swished.
"I think Foster hit some tough shots," Brown said. "Donavan is a proven defender against guards who are shooters. We did a nice job on him in the first half. ... But he's a heck of a player."
Blakley had 20 points and 10 rebounds for CSUB and freshman Stephon Carter had 14 points in his collegiate debut while displaying the aggressive play he was known for while at Garces High.
"As a team, I thought we played well," Carter said. "It would have been better if we had won. But it was a great experience."
Santa Clara has zero seniors and nine of the Broncos' 13 players are either freshmen or sophomores.
"Bakersfield is going to beat some people this year," said Santa Clara coach Kerry Keating.
"They have seniors like Blakley and Santwon who are tough to guard, athletic and make things happen. We were lucky tonight."
