SEATTLE, Wash.- The Bakersfield Roadrunners allowed the defense that cost them two home games in Western Athletic Conference play to hold Seattle University scoreless during two stretches in each half as the 'Runners won their first WAC game 61-57 Thursday night at Key Arena.

Bakersfield fell behind early 14-4 in the first half with 13:33 to play, then the Roadrunners switched defensive styles and managed to build their own seven-point lead and ending the half on a 23-7 run to lead 27-21 at the half. The 'Runners rolled off a 16-0 run from the 13:33 mark to the 5:21 mark of the half. Seattle went 12:30 between field goals during that stretch as well.

The Roadrunners would continue their defensive pressure in the second half, building a 10-point lead with 9:35 to play. Bakersfield again held Seattle scoreless for over five minutes in the second half while building their lead.

Seattle would cut the lead to four before Brandon Barnes (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Lipscomb) hit back-to-back three-pointers to keep Bakersfield's lead at seven. Seattle would make several late-pushes but defense, key shots by Barnes and Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) kept the Redhawks at bay while the 'Runners hit seven of their final eight free-throws in the win including nine free throws from Tyrell Corbin (Jr., Columbia S.C., Salt Lake City CC). All nine of Corbin's points came from the line.

Grayson led Bakersfield with 15 points while Barnes added 13 in the win. CSUB also got strong performances in the post from Aly Ahmed (So., Alexandria, Egypt, Midlands CC) who scored six points while grabbing nine rebounds and Stefon Johnson (R-Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio, Garner-Webb) who added 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Erik Kinney (So., Fairfield, Calif., Sacramento HS) scored seven points with five rebounds while also being credited with three steals in the win.

Bakersfield outrebounded Seattle 38-27 including 13 offensive rebounds. Seattle entered the game with a +7.5 rebounding margin, one of the best in the WAC.

The win is the first for the Roadrunners as a member of the Western Athletic Conference and their first conference win at the NCAA Division I level, their last conference win as a program came at the NCAA Division II level in 2007.

The Roadrunners will continue their first WAC road trip Saturday night at Idaho. The Vandals fell 71-66 Thursday night to Utah Valley. Saturday's game tips at 7 P.M.