Smith scores 23 points and Cal State Bakersfield wins again

Jan 12, 2018, 10:50 pm

EDINBURG, Texas -- Matt Smith scored 23 points, including the go-ahead basket, and grabbed nine rebounds and Cal State Bakersfield defeated Texas-Rio Grande Valley 88-81 on Thursday night.

Dedrick Basile added 19 points and Jaylin Airington 18 for the Roadrunners (11-6, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference), who won their third straight.

Mike Hoffman scored 21 points, Nick Dixon 20 and Xavier McDaniel Jr. had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Vaqueros (9-10, 1-1). Antonio Green added 14 points.

A bucket by Smith gave Bakersfield the lead for good at 73-72 and began a 10-0 run that left the Roadrunners ahead 81-72 with 3:23 remaining. They led by seven during the final minute before Smith added two free throws with 39 seconds left.

The offenses stood in contrast with Bakersfield dominating points in the paint, 50-18, while the Vaqueros were 12 of 27 on 3-pointers to 5 of 16 for the Roadrunners.