FRESNO, Calif.- Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) scored 20 second-half points including seven straight midway through the second half as the senior guard helped the Roadrunners overcome a six-point halftime deficit en route to their fifth straight win, 61-50 over Northern Arizona Friday night in the opening round of the Fresno State Classic in Fresno.

The 'Runners trailed 28-22 at half and were shooting just 8-of-22 from the field while also allowing the Lumberjacks (2-4) penetration baskets and offensive rebounds. Bakersfield was also whistled for 12 first-half fouls allowing Northern Arizona to convert 10-of-14 from the charity stripe.

“It was the same sort of half we had against Idaho State,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “Turning the ball over, not taking good shots not being smart with our play…I thought in the second half we played with a lot more energy, a lot more purpose in our game and I thought Issiah our senior stepped up big for us tonight.”

In the second half the Roadrunners chipped away at the lead through the first 10 minutes, pulling back within four points with 13 minutes remaining. That's when Grayson came through for Bakersfield, hitting a three-pointer with 10:51 to play to cut the Lumberjacks lead to one point, he then stole the ball from guard Kris Yanku and was fouled attempting a layup. Grayson made both three-pointers to give Bakersfield the lead for good at 37-36 with 10:04 remaining. Grayon however wasn't finished, stealing the ball again from Yanku on the next possession and finishing with a layup. Grayson's 7-0 spurt sparked Bakersfield to 21-2 run over the next eight minutes as they led by as many as 15 with 1:31 to play.

Grayson's 21 points were one shy of his career high of 22 set back in 2011 at Pacific.

Northern Arizona would then foul down the stretch but Bakersfield converted on 15-of-18 second-half free throws to win their fifth in a row making this the best start in school history at the Division I level and the longest winning streak since the 2005-06 season, the 'Runners last as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks.

Bakersfield's defense was also improved in the second half as they limited Northern Arizona leading scorer Max Jacobsen to just four points after he scored nine in the first half. Jacobsen was just 2-of-5 in the second half from the field. He entered the game averaging 18 points per contest for the Lumberjacks.

“In the second half our guys did a very good job of defending on the ball and playing with more purpose on defense,” Barnes said. “Hopefully we got the bad game out of the way and we'll come out tomorrow night and play much better.”

The Roadrunners also received double-digit performances from Erik Kinney (So., Fairfield, Calif., Sacramento HS) who had 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. Kinney also finished with five rebounds and two blocks.  Javonte Maynor (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) also finished with 11 points on 4-of-10 from the field and 3-of-9 from three-point range. Zech Smith (R-Jr., McCloud, Okla., Howard CC) led Bakersfield on the glass with eight rebounds.

CSUB returns to action Saturday night taking on Fresno State at the Save Mart Center. Tip off is scheduled for 7 P.M. They'll conclude the tournament Sunday taking on Drake at 11 A.M.