CS Bakersfield rides big 1st half past UMKC, 83-72

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Aly Ahmed pumped in 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Cal State Bakersfield built a 22-point halftime lead and held on to beat Missouri-Kansas City in the Roadrunners' Western Athletic Conference opener Saturday night.

Bakersfield got out to a 19-5 start capped by a pair of Damiyne Durham 3-pointers, and by intermission the Roadrunners had pushed their advantage to 47-25, pushing it further to start the second half to 51-25.

The Kangaroos battled back, but could get no closer than 81-72 after two Martez Harrison free throws with 1:09 remaining.

Durham finished with 18 points and Dedrick Basile added 15 more for Bakersfield (11-5, 1-0). The Roadrunners shot 29 of 56 from the field, including 6 of 14 from behind the arc.

Harrison finished with 19 points on 4 for 10 shooting to lead UMKC (8-9, 1-1). Shayok Shayok added 12 points.