LOGAN, Utah,- The CSUB Roadrunners trailed by 11 points with 1:50 to play and elected to give the home crowd a serious scare but fell one-point shy of the comeback win in a 57-56 loss Thursday night to Utah State in the opening game of the World Vision Classic.

The Roadrunners forced three turnovers over the final 1:06 while also converting on a pair of three-pointers to go on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to three points with 25 seconds remaining. The Roadrunners back court press would force another Aggie turnover by Julion Pearre who tried to throw a long-lead pass up the court to Sean Harris but threw the ball out of bounds.

Bakersfield had a chance to tie the game with 17 seconds left but Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) was whistled for a charge at the baseline. Harris took the contact and converted on one of two free throws to give the Aggies a four-point lead with six seconds remaining. The 'Runners converted on one more three-pointer from Tyrell Corbin (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake CC) with .3 seconds remaining. Utah State managed the inbound to hold off the fierce comeback.

The Roadrunners led by as many as four in the first half, but Utah State closed the half on an 8-2 run while forcing three CSUB turnovers in the final six minutes. The Aggies would then open the second half on a 7-0 run to take their first double-digit lead of the game.

That lead would stretch to 14 in the second half during an 11-3 run with just over eight minutes remaining. CSUB however started converting on offense, shooting 44% in the second half while outrebounding the Aggies 42-22 to start the comeback. Ahmed once again shined in the second half with 12 of his team-high 14 points coming in the second half. The Roadrunners found themselves at the free-throw line frequently in the second half, entering the double-bonus with over 10 minutes to play. CSUB however missed eight second half free throws (11-of-19) and were 14-of-24 in the game from the line. Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y., Odessa CC) scored 11 points while grabbing another 9 rebounds including four offensive boards for the 'Runners.

Utah State leaned heavily on forward David Collette in the second half as he scored 15 of his game-high 18 points in the frame, including six in the first four possessions of the half for the Aggies. Utah State shot 55% in the second half (11-of-20) and 42% for the game.

The latest loss to Utah State is the third one-point loss for the Roadrunners and the fifth loss this season by CSUB by two points or fewer.

The 'Runners will look to snap their five-game losing streak Friday night as they take on South Dakota State (7-3). The Jackrabbits won their first game of the World Vision Classic in overtime over Idaho State 75-72.

Friday game can be heard on Smart Talk 1230 KGEO beginning at 4 P.M. with the Dignity Health Pregame show. Tip off in Logan, Utah is scheduled for 4:30 P.M.