BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — In a thrilling matchup that saw CSU Bakersfield face off against Hawaii, Jemel Jones stole the show with an incredible performance, scoring 29 points to lead his team to a decisive 76-64 victory on Thursday.
The game, which took place at the Icardo Center on the campus of CSU Bakersfield, was a highly anticipated matchup between two teams looking to make a statement in their conference.
From the opening tip, it was clear that Jones was on a mission, driving to the basket with ease and knocking down shots from beyond the arc with precision. His 29 points were a game-high, and he did it on an efficient 11-18 shooting from the field, including 3-5 from three-point range.
CSU Bakersfield came out strong in the first half, building a 10-point lead thanks in large part to Jones’ 15 points in the opening 20 minutes. Hawaii struggled to find their footing on offense, shooting just 36% from the field in the first half.
Despite a strong effort from Hawaii in the second half, CSU Bakersfield was able to maintain their lead and pull away down the stretch. The team’s defense was stellar, holding Hawaii to just 40% shooting from the field for the game.
The win was a big one for CSU Bakersfield, who improved their conference record and moved into a tie for second place. For Jones, it was another impressive performance in what has been a standout season for the guard.
As the season wears on, CSU Bakersfield will look to continue their strong play and make a push for the top spot in their conference. With Jones leading the charge, they certainly have the talent and depth to make a deep run in the postseason.
Hawaii, on the other hand, will look to regroup and bounce back from the tough loss. They have a tough road ahead of them, but with a strong effort and a bit of luck, they could still make some noise in the conference tournament.