Grand Canyon holds off Cal State Bakersfield 58-52

Mar 5, 2018, 01:47 am

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Joshua Braun scored 16 points, Keonta Vernon added 11 to go with 12 rebounds and Grand Canyon held off a second half rally by Cal State Bakersfield for a 58-52 win Saturday night in the season finale for both teams.

After racing to a 37-23 halftime lead, Grand Canyon had to scramble in the second half as Bakersfield tightened the gap. The Roadrunners cut it to single digits with a tip-in from Shon Briggs that made it 45-37 midway through the period and later pulled to within three, 55-52, with three free throws from Jaylin Airington to cap a 6-2 spurt with 1:33 left.

Grand Canyon (22-9, 11-3 Western Athletic Conference) then sealed it from the line down the stretch.

DeWayne Russell also had 11 points for Grand Canyon and Darion Clark scored 10 as the Antelopes finished tied with New Mexico State for second place in the conference behind Bakersfield (21-8, 12-2).

Airington led the Roadrunners with 19 points.