FRESNO, Calif. - Down by 17 points with just over 12 minutes remaining the Bakersfield Roadrunners mounted an astonishing late second-half comeback capped by a Matt Ratto (Sr., Ripon Calif., Modesto CC) three-pointer with six seconds remaining to force overtime but couldn't overcome Fresno State falling 96-86 Saturday night in the Fresno State Classic.

The Bulldogs shot the ball extremely well all night building their largest lead with 12:07 remaining. Bakersfield continued to chip back into the contest trailing by 12 with 3:50 remaining. Bakersfield then went on a 20-8 run and even benefitted from a technical foul on Fresno State when Emmanuel Owootoah attempted to call timeout when the Bulldogs didn't have any left. After the teams exchanged free throws, Ratto sank the game-tying three-pointer from the left wing with six seconds remaining to force overtime.

CSUB took an early lead off an Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) three-pointer but managed just 1-of-7 shooting in the extra period while allowing Fresno State 15 free-throw attempts where they put the game away snapping Bakersfield's five-game winning streak.

“I was proud of our guys because we could have laid down; but we weren't playing as well defensively as we've been and they have a good offense,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “We're a team built to win games late, we don't have the type of players that will blow you out but we have guys that will fight to the end. A lot of people will give up, but we didn't and I'm proud of the guys for believing they could win the game.”

Brandon Barnes (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Lipscomb) led the way for Bakersfield with his season-high 20 points including a 3-of-5 night from three-point range. Grayson Also managed his second 20 point game of the tournament with 20 points on 5-of-16 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Stefon Johnson (R-Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio, Gardner-Webb) finished with his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Fresno State shot over 50% in both halves and ended the game shooting 52% from the field. Despite that figure and six players in double digits, the Roadrunners still managed to force overtime, nearly stealing a game on the road.

“They have guys that can make shots but normally don't make the shots they made tonight,” Barnes said. “I'm encouraged with our team, obviously we're disappointed because we came here to win and we think we're good enough to win.”

Bakersfield returns to the court Sunday morning to conclude the Fresno State Classic taking on Drake at 11 A.M. Drake is 2-0 in the tournament after defeating Northern Arizona 75-55 on Saturday.