BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Brandon Randolph's game-tying shot at the buzzer fell just short as the Utah Valley University men's basketball team dropped a 68-65 decision at CSU Bakersfield on Saturday night at the Icardo Center.
 
The loss drops UVU to 9-10 overall on the season and 1-3 in WAC play. CSUB improves to 12-7 overall and 3-1 in league play.
 
"I was really pleased with our effort," said Utah Valley head coach Mark Pope. "This team is getting closer and closer together every night. I think our defensive effort is getting more cohesive and figuring out how to guard better. We have to do a better job of getting to the free throw line. We were doubled up on the free throw line tonight. We have to do a better job of forcing the officials to call fouls for us to get to the line. We haven't made shots for a month but we will because that's who we are. I'm not worried about it. This process is going to pay off for us in the long run. We can't make a shot tonight and we lose to the defending WAC champs by three points. I'm excited about the growth of this team. I can see it."
 
Trailing by four points, 64-60, with three minutes to play, Utah Valley's Jordan Poydras knocked down a three-pointer to get the Wolverines to within one point, 64-63. Each team turned the ball over before Connor Toolson was able to get a look from three that rimmed out. The Roadrunners tipped in a missed shot on the other end to give CSUB a three-point edge, 66-63, with a minute to go.
 
Randolph was fouled on the next UVU possession with 55 seconds remaining and knocked down both of his free throws to make it a one-point game, 66-65. UVU forced a CSUB missed shot with 28 seconds to go but and offensive rebound kept the possession alive for the Roadrunners. UVU was then forced to foul and send CSUB to the free throw line where Jaylin Airington knocked down both free throws to put the 'Runners back up by three points, 68-65, with 20 seconds to play. Toolson missed a game-tying three with seven seconds. Randolph pulled down the offensive board and launched a last-second shot from long range but couldn't get it to fall as CSU Bakersfield escaped with its eighth-straight home victory
 
Jordan Poydras fronted Utah Valley with 12 points. The senior guard knocked down four shots from beyond the arc and dished out a pair of assists. Zach Nelson and Conner Toolson were also in double figures with 10 points apiece. Nelson was an impressive 4-of-5 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 at the charity stripe. He also pulled down six rebounds with one assists, one steal and a block. Toolson connected on 3-of-8 shots form the field and went 4-for-4 at the stripe for his 10 points.
 
Hayden Schenck and Joonas Tahvanainen each scored eight points off the bench. Schenck also pulled down six rebounds with two assists. Tahvanainen was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from long range.
 
UVU connected on 43.1 percent (22-of-51) of its shots from the field. The Wolverines recorded a 28.1 percent (9-of-32) mark from long range. CSUB shot 44.0 percent (22-of-50) from the field, including a 46.2 percent (6-of-13) mark from beyond the arc.
 
Utah Valley returns to Orem to host UTRGV on Thursday night and New Mexico State on Saturday night. Tip-off for both games is set for 7 p.m. (MST).