BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- A pair of second-half technical fouls on CSUB leading scorer Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) gave the South Dakota Coyotes a new lease on the game as they overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat the 'Runners 68-66 Sunday evening at the Icardo Center.

Ahmed was first whistled for goaltending on a free throw from Trey Norris with 13:39 to play in the half. Following a brief argument with an official, Ahmed slapped the ball in his hands and was issued the first technical. The second came just seconds later after he continued to protest the decision.

“It was a disappointing and tough play for us,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “Obviously that's tough for us because he's the leader of our team and he was playing well. But we've got to be smarter in those situations; understanding that we can't win those battles and Aly understand that and he feels bad about not being able to play for us late in the second half.”

“It's just something that we have to learn from, something we hope to never happen again.”

CSUB led by 12 points at the time but their offense would struggle from that point forward with the Roadrunners making just five more field goals for the remainder of the half. The 'Runners led 56-45 with 7:45 remaining in the game but were outscored 23-10 as the Coyotes came back for the win. CSUB was also held without a field goal for five minutes during that same period which allowed South Dakota to take the lead for good on a Tyler Larsen layup with 1:50 remaining.

“It's a tough loss, I thought we were playing well and had the game where we wanted it and we let it slip away from us,” Barnes said.

The Roadrunners played a tremendous first half both offensively and defensively, shooting over 55% from the field and leading 40-29 to the break. At the time the Roadrunners defense forced 10 South Dakota turnovers which led to 17 points for CSUB. After the Ahmed ejection, the Coyotes found it easier to drive and score in the paint, scoring 14 second-half points in the key.

The turnover would hurt Bakersfield in the second half as the Roadrunners had two key possessions inside of a minute to play but couldn't manage a shot. The first came with 31 seconds remaining and the 'Runners trailing by two and Dashawn Richmond (Jr., Long Island, N.Y., Broward CC) was whistled for traveling. Following a five-second violation on the inbound play by South Dakota, the 'Runners were faced with a chance to tie again but turned the ball over on the inbound pass from Brent Wrapp (R-Fr., Boulder, Colo., Fairview HS) intended for Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y., Odessa CC).

Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ind., Ventura CC) scored once more with nine seconds remaining but free throws from the Coyotes would help South Dakota hold on for the two-point win.

The Roadrunners were led by Richmond and Mays, both of whom scored 14 points for CSUB. Mays also added 10 rebounds and was 5-of-10 from the field. Richmond grabbed six boards and was 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range.

The Roadrunners were 7-of-24 shooting in the second half and 23-of-53 in the game for a 43% night from the floor. CSUB was 0-of-7 from three-point range in the second half and just 3-of-18 in the game.

CSUB returns to action Tuesday night hosting UC Riverside at the Icardo Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. Bakersfield also hosts Fresno State Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 P.M. at the Icardo Center. Tickets are currently available for both games at Vallitix.com

Coverage of both games will also be available on Newstalk 1180 KERN and can be seen on the WAC Digital Network.