LOS ANGELES, Calif.—USC (7-3) made 10 free throws in the final 3:23 of the second half to overcome a Bakersfield (6-5) lead to defeat the Roadrunners 63-59.

The score was tied at 28 at halftime. Both teams played strong defense as the 'Runners held the Trojans without a basket for the final 4:01 of the frame. USC did not allow a CSUB basket over the final 5:05 of the first half.  Bakersfield had three more field goals than the Trojans (11-8), but USC went to the free throw line 10 more times (16-6).

Trailing 35-32 early in the second half, the Roadrunners mounted a 10-0 run highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., College of Southern Idaho) three-pointers. With CSUB leading 42-36, the Trojans called timeout with just over 15 to play and responded with a 10-4 run to tie the game at 46 four minutes later.

Javonte Maynor's (R-Jr. Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) three-pointer off a fast break keyed a a second 'Runner spurt that returned the lead to the 'Runners. USC closed to within three, 53-50, but Grayson's fourth three-pointer of the night made it a two-possession game with four to go.

Byron Wesley, USC's leading scorer on the night with 20, moved the Trojans to 56-54 when made a basket out of the final media timeout, but a Grayson floater with the shot clock winding down on the ensuing Roadrunner possession again gave CSUB a four-point lead. Wesley's free throws the next time down cut the 'Runner lead to two. USC got a stop and tied the game at the 1:40 mark when D.J. Haley connected on two free throws.

Bakersfield failed to convert on their next possession and Wesley was fouled when he rebounded the 'Runner miss. He made two free throws for the lead. Grayson missed a field goal attempt forcing the Roadrunners to foul Haley on the rebound He sank 1-of-2, increasing the USC lead to three with 40 seconds to play.

Tyrell Corbin (Jr., Columbia, S.C., Salt Lake CC) was fouled seven seconds later. Corbin missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Bakersfield was forced to foul again. Wesley could only make 1-of-2 free attempts but he made it a two-possession game, 62-58. Grayson was fouled with 25 seconds to go, he connected on 1-of-2 to make it 62-59. USC turned it over with 14 seconds, but Stefon Johnson (R-Sr. Cincinnatti, Ohio, Gardner-Webb)) missed a three-pointer to tie. The 'Runners fouled Omar Oraby who made 1-of-2 attempts. CSUB called timeout with the Trojans leading 63-59 and three seconds remaining and that would be the final.

Playing with the flu, Grayson was limited to just four minutes in the first half and did not take a basket. He scored all of his 17 points in the second half. The Trojans would take 31 more free throws on the night (46-15), but the 'Runners outrebounded USC 37-33.

The Roadrunners begin a two-game swing through the state of Texas Wednesday night when the 'Runners are at UTSA beginning at 5 p.m. (PST). The Dignity Heath Shoot Around Show begins on SmartTalk 1230 at 4:30 p.m. (PST).

~www.GoRunners.com~