BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — Dailin Smith scored 30 points to lead Cal State Bakersfield to a 67-66 victory over UC Riverside in a men’s NCAA Division I game Thursday night at Icardo Center. The Roadrunners (8-9) overcame a four-point halftime deficit by capitalizing on Highlanders mistakes, scoring 25 points off 16 UC Riverside turnovers. Smith’s performance, which included four second-half 3-pointers, keyed the comeback. UC Riverside (6-10) was led by Andrew Henderson with 18 points and Marqui Worthy with 19. The Highlanders shot 45.5% from 3-point range but were outscored 13-4 on fast breaks and 15-10 at the free-throw line. A final free throw by Tom Mark with 47 seconds remaining provided the winning margin for Cal State Bakersfield before a crowd of 259.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by sloppy execution and missed opportunities, Dailin Smith’s career-high 30 points propelled Cal State Bakersfield to a narrow 67-66 victory over UC Riverside in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Icardo Center. The Roadrunners (8-9, 2-2 Big West) survived a frantic final minute and a potential game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer to escape with the win, despite being outshot and committing 14 turnovers. The Highlanders (6-10, 1-3) lost their third straight game, undone by 16 turnovers that led to 25 points for the home team. The contest was a grind from the outset, with both teams struggling offensively. UC Riverside held a 35-31 halftime lead behind 10 first-half points from Andrew Henderson, but the Highlanders’ offense stagnated for long stretches, posting an offensive rating of just 93.5 points per 100 possessions for the game. Cal State Bakersfield wasn’t much better at 92.4, but made crucial plays in the final minutes. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the closing seconds. With Cal State Bakersfield clinging to a 67-66 lead after Tom Mark split a pair of free throws with 47 seconds remaining, UC Riverside had two chances to take the lead. The first ended when Marqui Worthy missed a driving layup with about 37 seconds left. The Roadrunners’ Kadar Waller then missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving the Highlanders a final possession with 15 seconds to play. Out of a timeout, UC Riverside worked the ball to Tyler Jones, whose contested three-point attempt from the wing missed as time expired, sealing the Roadrunners’ win. Smith, a 6-foot-6 guard from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was the undeniable catalyst for Bakersfield. He shot 9 of 22 from the field, including 6 of 13 from three-point range, and added six free throws to account for nearly half of his team’s points. His scoring barrage was essential on a night where the rest of the Roadrunners combined to shoot just 14 of 40 from the floor. UC Riverside was led by Henderson and Worthy, who scored 18 and 19 points respectively. Henderson hit four three-pointers, while Worthy added two. BJ Kolly contributed nine points, four blocks, and three steals for the Highlanders, whose 10-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc kept them in the game despite their turnover woes. The statistical sheet highlighted a game of contrasting strengths. UC Riverside shot better overall (41.1% to 37.1%) and from three-point range (45.5% to 46.2%), while also blocking six shots. However, Cal State Bakersfield dominated in transition, outscoring the Highlanders 13-4 on fast breaks, and capitalized more efficiently off mistakes, turning 16 UC Riverside turnovers into 25 points. The Roadrunners also held a 13-9 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to a 28-24 advantage in points in the paint. The loss continues a difficult stretch for UC Riverside, which has lost seven of its last nine games. Cal State Bakersfield, meanwhile, has won two of its last three conference contests. The announced attendance at the Icardo Center was 259. UC Riverside next hosts UC San Diego on Saturday. Cal State Bakersfield travels to face Long Beach State, also on Saturday.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — Two Big West teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners host the UC Riverside Highlanders at Icardo Center. Both teams enter the Jan. 8 contest looking to build on uneven non-conference performances. The Roadrunners (7-9) are coming off a dramatic 81-79 road win at UC Davis on Saturday, powered by a career performance from Jaden Alexander. The junior guard exploded for 35 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing the high ceiling for a Bakersfield squad that has struggled with consistency. Alexander, averaging 18.1 points over his last six games, will be the focal point for the Roadrunners’ offense. His backcourt mate, AJ George, added 20 points in the win over UC Davis, providing a secondary scoring threat. UC Riverside (6-9) aims to rebound from a difficult 88-45 home loss to Hawaii on New Year’s Day. The Highlanders have lost four straight, including road defeats at UCLA, Saint Thomas and BYU. Guard BJ Kolly has been a steady presence during the skid, scoring in double figures in three of those four games. He leads the team in assists and will be tasked with stabilizing the Highlanders’ offense against Bakersfield’s pressure. The matchup features two of the conference’s middle-tier teams looking to establish an early foothold in league play. Cal State Bakersfield holds a slight edge in the standings and will rely on its home court advantage, where it is 4-2 this season. UC Riverside, 2-6 on the road, must find an answer for Alexander while generating more offensive production after being held under 70 points in three of its last four outings. Thursday’s winner will gain valuable confidence ahead of a tough weekend slate, with UC Riverside hosting UC San Diego and Cal State Bakersfield traveling to Long Beach State on Saturday.