Bakersfield defeats Idaho 64-63
Bakersfield Edges Idaho in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown
The Icardo Center was electric as the Bakersfield Renegades hosted their first home non-conference game of the season against visiting Idaho Vandals on Wednesday night, December 23rd. In a battle that lived up to its billing as a real barnburner, Bakersfield emerged victorious with a narrow 64-63 win over their Mountain West foes.
The game's narrative thread was expertly woven by Bakersfield, who took an early lead and never relinquished it, despite Idaho's late surge. The home team's CJ Hardy led the way, pouring in 20 points on 3-8 three-point shooting, while Pierre Geneste Jr. chipped in with 13 rebounds, six of which came on the defensive glass.
In a testament to their team effort, AJ George added four assists and scored 10 points off the bench, helping his squad secure the hard-fought win.
For Idaho, Brody Rowbury was the standout performer, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Kolton Mitchell chipped in with five assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome their team's struggles from beyond the arc.
The game saw both teams showcase impressive shooting percentages. Bakersfield shot a respectable 48% from the field, while Idaho managed just 38%. The Vandals did manage to edge their hosts slightly in free-throw percentage, however, converting on 80% of their attempts compared to Bakersfield's 38%.
Rebounding was another area where both teams struggled. Bakersfield outrebounded their opponents by a single board, winning the battle for rebounds 34-35.
In terms of pace and tempo, neither team managed to create significant advantages. The Vandals had an edge in turnover margin but also gave up a few key baskets as a result. Despite this, Idaho's fast break points were on par with those of their hosts.
In the end, it was Bakersfield that emerged victorious, thanks in large part to its superior shooting percentage from beyond the arc and a crucial rebounding effort down the stretch.
Key Takeaways:
* CJ Hardy led Bakersfield to victory with 20 points.
* Idaho struggled to contain Brody Rowbury's scoring efforts.
* The game was marked by a tight margin, with the largest lead either team managed to create being just six points.
* Bakersfield's rebounding advantage played a crucial role in their win.
The thrilling matchup will serve as an important tune-up for both teams as they look ahead to their respective conference schedules.