Utah State 57, Bakersfield 56 Recap | Stats
LOGAN, Utah – (CSUB Media Relations) The CSUB Roadrunners trailed by 11 points with 1:50 to play and elected to give the home crowd a serious scare but fell one-point shy of the comeback win in a 57-56 loss Thursday night to Utah State in the opening game of the World Vision Classic.
The Roadrunners forced three turnovers over the final 1:06 while also converting on a pair of three-pointers to go on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to three points with 25 seconds remaining. The Roadrunners back court press forced another Aggie turnover and
had a chance to tie the game with 17 seconds left but Aly Ahmed was whistled for a charge at the baseline. Utah State converted on one of two free throws to give the Aggies a four-point lead with six seconds remaining. The ‘Runners converted on one more three-pointer from Tyrell Corbin with .3 seconds remaining. Utah State managed the inbound to hold off the fierce comeback.
CSUB shot 44 percent in the second half while out-rebounding the Aggies 42-22 to start the comeback. Ahmed once again shined in the second half with 12 of his team-high 14 points coming in the second half.
The Roadrunners found themselves at the free-throw line frequently in the second half, entering the double-bonus with over 10 minutes to play. CSUB however missed eight second half free throws (11-of-19) and was 14-of-24 in the game from the line. Kevin Mays scored 11 points while grabbing nine rebounds, including four offensive boards for the ‘Runners.
Utah State shot 55 percent in the second half (11-of-20) and 42 percent for the game.
The latest loss to Utah State is the third one-point loss for the Roadrunners and the fifth loss this season by CSUB by two points or fewer.