HONOLULU, Hawaii- After four overtimes, countless big-time shots and chances at a season-opening victory, a late turnover with nine seconds remaining would prove to be the back-breaker for the CSUB Roadrunners in a 100-99 four-overtime loss to High Point in the opening round of the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.

Friday's season opener marked the first time the 'Runners played a quadruple overtime game, making it their longest contest since Feb. 11, 1989 at Cal State LA.

The Roadrunners led 96-99 with 12 second remaining after a pair of free throws from Cortez Conners (Jr., Saint Louis, MO., Saint Louis CC). Bakersfield then fouled Haiishen McIntyre to avoid the potential game-tying three-pointer putting him at the line with nine seconds to play. After making both free throws the Roadrunners struggled on the next in bound play, the ball was knocked away on the baseline pass, when Tyrell Corbin went to save the ball near the baseline it was tipped to High Point's Tarique Thompson who drove to the basket for the game winning layup with two seconds remaining.

A long three-point attempt by Corbin with time expiring was no good.

“We didn't execute the play as well as we needed to execute,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “I thought our guys fought hard tonight, showed a lot of toughness, stayed right there in the game which was a great thing for us. Both teams made some mistakes and we made some we hope to correct and hopefully the next time we get to the floor not make those same kind of mistakes.”

The Roadrunners and Panthers played a slow first half with both teams shooting less than 35% from the field and entering the break tied at 22. The second half would find both teams shooting well over 50% with 12 lead changes and six ties during half. The Roadrunners trailed 58-57 with 57 seconds to play before Corbin hit his first three-pointer of the night to give Bakersfield a 60-58 lead.

High Point, the defending Big South champions, would draw a foul against Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) and tie the game on two free throws by Devante Wallace before CSUB missed a long three-pointer at the buzzer.

In overtime Bakersfield took a 68-66 lead on an offensive rebound and put-back layup from Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) with 21 seconds remaining. The Panthers missed the game-tying shot before KJ James offensive rebound and put back tied the game with four seconds remaining and forced the second overtime.

In double overtime, Bakersfield took a four-point lead on a three-pointer from Abdul Ahmed (R-Sr., London, England, Trinity Valley CC) with 3:02 to play. High Point would pull within on with 1:49 to play following an Ahmed foul on a loose ball and free throw. CSUB then turned the ball over on the next possession which set up Wallace for the game-tying three pointer with 1:15 remaining for High Point. Both teams would turn the ball over once more to force the third overtime.

In triple overtime the Roadrunners built an 85-81 lead with 44 seconds to play following a Dashawn Richmond (Jr., Staten Island, N.Y., Broward CC) layup and free throw. Wallace again would cut the lead to one with another three-pointer with 26 seconds to play. Following the inbound pass, Maynor hit a pair of free throws to give the 'Runners an 87-84 lead but Wallace made another three-pointer with 11 seconds left to force the third overtime. He ended the night with a game-high 32 points and 7-of-11 from three-point range.

Bakersfield trailed 94-92 with 1:53 left in quadruple overtime before going on a 7-2 run to take the lead that eventually was erased by the turnover and game-winner by the Panthers.

Bakersfield was led by Aly Ahmed's career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds while Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y. Odessa CC) added 13 points and 17 rebounds as well. Corbin, starting his first game as CSUB's point guard scored a career-high 20 for the 'Runners on 6-of-15 from the field. Bakersfield shot 64% in the second half and were 35-of-75 in the game from the field.

Prior to Friday night CSUB had never played four overtimes and had played three overtimes just twice before; once in 1980 and again in 1989.

The Roadrunners return to action Saturday night taking on host Hawai'i at 9:30 P.M. (PT) at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. It will be the first meeting between CSUB and Hawai'i in men's basketball.

Coverage of that game is available on Newstalk 1180 KERN and will also be televised on Oceanic Time Warner.