RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? The ghosts of Christmas past and future paid a visit to the CSUB men's basketball team, inspiring the Roadrunners to defeat longtime nemesis UC Riverside 71?53 Saturday night at the Student Rec Center in Riverside.

Senior guard Zack Grasmick (Strathmore/Granite Hills HS) gave the biggest gift, draining eight three?pointers as part of his career?high 26 point performance. But Grasmick was far from the only 'Runner to catch the Christmas spirit.

Junior guard Terrence Johns (Chicago/Bakersfield College) received a visit from the ghost of Christmas Past, returning to form after a 1-for-30 shooting slump to pour in 17 points. But 'Runner fans most appreciated the visit from the ghost of Christmas Future, who gave a glimpse of seasons to come with the performances of freshmen guards Alex Johnson (Toronto/Vaughan Road Academy) and Donavan Bragg (Inglewood/Serra HS).

Johnson (seven assists) and Bragg (six) combined for 13 assists against just two turnovers. Their ability to take care of the ball shined brilliantly in the second half. Led by the freshman duo, CSUB did not commit a turnover in the final 20 minutes, helping turn a tenuous 30?29 lead at intermission into an 18?point victory.

The game remained tight throughout the first half, with neither team able to establish much of a foothold. UCR led by five at 17?12 midway through half and Bakersfield led by five late at 30?25 before the Highlanders closed to within one at the buzzer.

CSUB finally took control at the start of the second period. A Trent Blakley (Alta Loma HS) turn?around jumper on the opening possession of the second half sparked a 10?2 run as the 'Runners quickly expanded their lead to nine points at 41?32. The lead grew to double digits for the first time at 56?44 on a Grasmick trey with 7:09 remaining and Riverside never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

In addition to Grasmick and Johns, Blakley and Johnson also reached double figures with 12 points apiece for CSUB. Blakley and Johnson shared team?high honors with eight rebound apiece.

Aaron Scott and Larry Cunningham led UCR with 12 points each. Sean Cunningham chipped in a game?high nine rebounds.

CSUB will take time off for the Christmas holiday. The 'Runners return to action Dec. 28 when they host South Dakota State at Rabobank Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

CSU BAKERSFIELD (2?10 overall) -- Johnson 4-7 0-0 12; Bragg 1-3 0-0 2; Johns 7-17 1-2 17; Grasmick 9-14 0-0 26; C. Brown 1-2 0-0 2; Blakley 5-13 0-0 12; R. Brown 0-0 0-0 0; Hall 0-1 0-0 0; Robinson 0-2 0-0 0; Lee 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-60 3-6 71.

UC RIVERSIDE (3?7 overall) -- Scott 6-9 0-0 12; Diggs 2-6 0-0 4; S. Cunningham 2-6 0-0 4; Soto 1-5 5-9 7; L. Cunningham 4-14 3-4 12; Barlow 0-2 0-0 0; Gates 3-5 2-2 8; Johnson 1-4 0-0 3; Bekono 1-1 1-2 3; Visman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-52 11-17 53.

Halftime: CSUB 30-29. 3-point goals--CSUB 14-27 (Grasmick 8-13; Johnson 4-7, Johns 2-6, Bragg 0-1); UCR 2-12 (L. Cunningham 1-4, Johnson 1-4, Diggs 0-1, S. Cunningham 0-1, Barlow 0-1). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--CSUB 34 (Johns, Blakley 8); UCR 37 (S. Cunningham 9). Total fouls--CSUB 16, UCR 10. Technical fouls--None. A-206.