Cal Poly falls at Cal State Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Junior forward Alimamy Koroma scored a game best 18 points for the Cal Poly men's basketball program Tuesday evening versus CSU Bakersfield, but the Roadrunners – after turning a nine-point deficit late in the first half into a double-digit lead early in the second – prevailed against the Mustangs inside the Icardo Center, 73-60.
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Sophomore guard Kobe Sanders (above) added a season best 12 points for Cal Poly (4-11, 1-3), which led CSU Bakersfield (6-6, 1-2) by nine points late in the first half before the Roadrunners scored 52 points during the final 23 minutes to pull away. Cal Poly, which shot 56.3 (18-for-32) percent from the floor and 53.8 (7-for-13) percent from three-point range, but failed to grab an offensive rebound, also received 10 points from junior guard Trevon Taylor.
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Before embarking on a four-game road trip, Cal Poly returns home to Mott Athletics Center to host Hawai'i on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tip time is 7 p.m.
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Fueled by 12 first-half point Koroma points, Cal Poly led 22-13 after sophomore forward Colvin sank a three-pointer eight minutes before the break. With Cal Poly still leading, 30-21, with three minutes to go, however, the Roadrunners closed the opening half with nine successive points to tie the scoreline heading into the locker room.
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CSU Bakersfield guard Kaleb Higgins sank a jumper three minutes into the second half to provide the hosts their first lead of the evening. With CSU Bakersfield holding Cal Poly to just a Koroma layup and two free throws from senior forward Tukkaa Jaakkola to open the second half, the Roadrunners stretched their lead to 44-34 with 13 minutes to go.
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Cal Poly closed the deficit to seven points nine times, but drew no closer.
(article courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics)