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BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. -- Sophomore guard Jordan Weirick scored 17 points and junior forward Ramell Taylor added 16 more to lead the Thunderbird men's basketball team to a 66-58 victory over Cal State-Bakersfield in Bakersfield, Calif. Wednesday night.
"What a great team effort, I'm so proud of the entire team," Head Coach Roger Reid said in an interview with Power 91's Art Challis. "We improved from our last game."
SUU (1-1) led for the majority of the game but found itself in a 49-49 tie with 4:51 left in the contest after UCSB sophomore guard Stephon Carter made a jumper.
The T-Birds responded with a 13-2 run in the next three minutes to take a 62-51 lead on its way to the win.
The Roadrunners tacked on a pair of meaningless baskets in the final seconds to close its final gap to eight points.
"This was a good team we played — great athletic team — but we had the will and desire to win," Reid said. "(The players) finally understand that if they execute, do the things they are asked to do and be disciplined — good things will happen."
SUU shot 38 percent (24-for-63) from the field and connected on 17-of-21 free throws.
The Roadrunners (1-2) shot 35 percent from the floor and committed 18 turnovers.
The T-Birds also turned the ball over just 12 times in the game and outrebounded the Roadrunners 47-35, including 18-12 on offensive rebounds during the contest.
SUU sophomore center Matt Hodgson added 10 points, while junior guard Ray Jones finished with nine points for the T-Birds.
Weirick and Taylor each started for the first time all season, replacing senior guard Ryan Brimley and junior forward Jake Nielson.
SUU returns to the Centrum Arena Saturday to battle in-state rival Utah State. Tipoff against the Aggies is slated for 7 p.m.
"We know we can enjoy tonight but we have a big game coming up on Saturday," Reid said.
