Update: CSUB wins 91–83, improves to 3–0
CSUB carried its strong start onto the road Thursday, rallying from a 38–32 halftime deficit to beat Western Illinois 91–83 in Macomb. The Roadrunners scored 59 points after halftime to improve to 3–0 under head coach Todd Lee. Kjay Bradley led CSUB with 25 points and seven assists, while Bryce Cofield added 19 points.
Photos: Ava Young (@avs.media15)
Original preview, published before Thursday’s game
Bakersfield has an early reason to get behind its Roadrunners.
CSUB men's basketball entered Thursday night's matchup at Western Illinois with a 2–0 record, opening Todd Lee's first season as head coach with home wins over Stanton and North Dakota State. A four-game road stretch now offers a clearer picture of what this new-look team can become.
Jaden Alexander has already given local fans a performance worth remembering. The veteran guard scored 41 points in Sunday's 91–80 victory over North Dakota State, making 14 of 21 shots and nine of 14 three-pointers. It was the second-highest single-game scoring total in program history.
Alexander had help. Bryce Cofield finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Kjay Bradley added 12 points and eight assists. Bakersfield shot 70 percent in the second half and outscored the Bison 27–4 on the fast break, signs of how dangerous this group can be when it gets moving.
Lee's return gives the season a connection to CSUB's past. He was an assistant on the Roadrunners' 1997 national championship team and now leads a roster with Alexander as its only returning player. Building chemistry with that much turnover takes time, but two opening wins have given the group something to build on.
The next test extends beyond Thursday's game in Macomb. CSUB visits North Dakota State on Nov. 15, Idaho on Nov. 20 and Pepperdine on Nov. 25 before returning to the Icardo Center to host Northern Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. Pacific.
Can the Roadrunners turn this start into a run at Big West contention? That remains the question, not a conclusion from two opening wins. The road stretch will test whether their early offense and new chemistry can hold up away from home before conference play opens against UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 3.
For Bakersfield fans, there is already a reason to pay attention. Alexander has delivered a standout night, Lee's new team opened with two wins, and the next chapter is taking shape on the road.
