Bakersfield Wins Division II Regional

Ray Burris tied a career high with 29 points and Fred Eckles added 19 as Cal State Bakersfield reached the final eight of the Division II basketball tournament by beating Alaska Anchorage, 78-68, in the West Regional final before 3,423 Saturday.

Bakersfield (24-7), the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament champion, hit nine free throws in the final 1:17 to protect its lead and reach the nationals for the second season in a row. The Roadrunners finished second to Kentucky Wesleyan a year ago.

They will meet Southwest Baptist in the opening round Thursday.

Alaska Anchorage (19-11) was led by Jackie Johnson’s 18 points.