BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A 12-2 run in the second half coupled with late baskets and key free throws lifted the Chicago State Cougars (9-10, 4-1 WAC) to a 71-63 victory Thursday night over the Bakersfield Roadrunners (8-11, 1-4 WAC) at the Icardo Center.

The rare on-campus home loss was the first for Bakersfield at the Icardo Center this season and just the 23rd all-time in the building which this season is serving as the part-time home court for the 'Runners.

Issiah Grayson (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Southern Idaho CC) led CSUB with 28 points, as he led the 'Runners in scoring for the fifth-straight game while Stefon Johnson (R-Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio, Gardner-Webb) added 12 points and five rebounds.

Bakersfield trailed by 10 in the first half before an 11-0 run gave them their first lead of the game with 6:27 to play. The Cougars would retake the lead 31-28 into the half.

In the second half the 'Runners would never lead, tying the game just 30 seconds into the half before Chicago State took the lead for good with 18:51 to play. The 'Runners would pull back within one at 35-34 with 17:30 left, that's when the Cougars went on a 12-2 run over the next three-and-a-half minutes to build an 11-point lead with just under 13 minutes remaining. The Roadrunners cut the Chicago State lead to one point one two more occasions, the last coming with just over 6:30 to play before Matt Ross scored five-straight points to stretch the lead to six for the Cougars who then went on to make their next two field goals and convert on 11-of-12 free-throw attempts to seal the win.

Bakersfield shot 10-of-23 in the second half but was just 11-of-18 from the free-throw line in the second half; CSUB also committed seven second-half turnovers which led to eight points for the Cougars whose pressure defense gave  the 'Runners fits all night.

Clarke Rosenberg led Chicago St. with 21 points while Quinton Pippen and Matt Ross chipped in with 14 apiece. Two of Bakersfield's best scorers Brandon Barnes (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Lipscomb) and Javonte Maynor (R-Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) were held scoreless and were a combined 0-of-11 from the field and 0-of-8 from three-point range.

The Roadrunners return to action Saturday night hosting Kansas City at the Icardo Center. The 'Roos lost Thursday night to WAC frontrunner Utah Valley 66-48 in Orem. UT.

Saturday night's game tips at 7 P.M. at the Icardo Center. It is also “Baseball Night” where fans can meet to 2014 Roadrunners baseball team as the defending WAC Champions will also have the 2013 championship trophy formally presented at halftime.