HONOLULU, Hawai'i- For the second consecutive night on the island of Oahu the CSUB Roadrunners led late in the game only to succumb to another tight loss in a 72-65 setback to host Hawai'i in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.

Following their longest game in CSUB history the night before in a four overtime loss to High Point, the Roadrunners were able to slow the pace of Saturday night's contest while limiting the Rainbow Warriors' offense in the first half. Bakersfield played deep into their bench and built a 10-point first half lead midway through the opening frame.

Hawai'i would then allow just one Roadrunners field goal over the next seven minutes as they pulled within a point with just over two minutes remaining. Bakersfield however answered with an 8-2 run to end the half to lead 34-28 at the break.

Hawai'i however would take control in the second half, erasing a nine-point CSUB lead with a 14-0 run over a four minute span from 15:18 to 11:18 in the half. The 14-point swing gave the Warriors their first lead of the half, they would allow the 'Runners to lead just once more with 4:29 remaining following an Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) jumper.

Hawaii answered with a 6-0 run over the next four minutes, capitalizing on a 0-for-3 stretch by the 'Runners from the field. Bakersfield cut the lead to two points with 31 seconds left following a Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) three-pointer but that is as close as the 'Runners could make it as Hawaii netted four free throws and forced a pair of CSUB turnovers to seal the win.

“I thought our guys hung in there and gave themselves a chance to win the game and that's all I can ask for from those guys,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “We missed some shots, we were a little to careless with the basketball but I'm proud of this team and we're going to have a really good season but right now we're just trying to find our way.”

Despite playing four overtimes the night before, the Roadrunners played another tough game led by Ahmed's 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting. He was joined by Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Id., Ventura CC) who scored 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting and 1-of-3 from three-point range. The Roadrunners were 24-of-62 from the field for 39%. They struggled from three-point range however netting just 4-of-15 in the second half and 7-of-23 for the game.

Fouls were also a factor with the Roadrunners sending Hawaii to the free throw line 36 times in the game. Bakersfield shot just 11 free throws, converting 10.

Hawaii was led by Roderick Bobbit's 16 points which including a 9-of-9 night from the free throw line. The Warriors were 21-of-47 from the field for 45% and converted 42% from three-point range.

The Roadrunners (0-2), continue the Rainbow Classic on Monday as they take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 P.M. (PT). That game can be heard on KERN Newstalk 1180.