LOGAN, Utah- A six-game losing streak of tight losses and heartbreak came to an end Saturday night as the CSUB Roadrunners held Idaho State to just two field goals over the final 7:37 while making plays down the stretch themselves in a 59-50 win in the final game of the World Vision Classic hosted by Utah State.

While the Roadrunners offense was much more productive than in games past, it was the CSUB defense that set the tone all game long, limiting the Idaho State leading scorers well-below their season averages while also holding the Bengals scoreless for a six-minute stretch late in the second half.

“I just thank God for this win, I appreciate those guys for their effort,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “We've lost a lot of close games and we've done a lot of work and I give our coaches credit because they worked with our kids between last night and today to get them prepared.”

The Roadrunners trailed by as many as five in the first half but ended the half on a 6-0 run consisting of back-to-back three-pointers including a long three-pointer from Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) who beat the buzzer with the 22-foot jump shot to give CSUB a 32-29 lead at the break. The 'Runners carried that momentum into the second half when Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ind., Ventura CC) converted on a four-point play to open the second half after making a three-pointer and being fouled on the play.

CSUB would then build the lead to as many as 13 points in the second half before Idaho State made one final run. Leading 45-32 following an Airington jumper with 14:16 to play, the Bengals cut the lead to three points on a 13-3 run over the next six and a half minutes.

That would be the last points the Bengals would score for over six minutes themselves as the Roadrunners defense dug in as Idaho State went 0-4 from the field while turning the ball over three times including a pair of CSUB steals. In the meantime the 'Runners were on the receiving end of clutch-plays late by Brent Wrapp (R-Fr., Boulder, Colo., Fairview HS) which included a layup with 1:31 remaining to extend the CSUB to nine points, two free throws after being fouled with a minute to play, a steal on the next Idaho State possession which led to a post-pass to Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) who was fouled but converted both free throws to seal the win.

“There's something about believing and I believe in this team and I've been saying that through the losses,” Barnes said. “I know it's just one win but it's a much-needed win and I think our kids will use that to gain confidence.”

The Roadrunners defense limited Idaho State's top scorer Chris Hansen to just nine points on 4-of-10 shooting and just 1-of-5 from three-point range. Hansen entered the game averaging 18 for the Bengals. CSUB also locked-down second-leading scorer Jeffery Solarin who scored just four points on 2-of-6 shooting, he entered averaging 12 per game for the Bengals as well.

CSUB's offense was also on point at times, using key three-pointers to soften the Idaho State zone defense while shooting 46% from the field (21-of-26) and 35% from three-point range (6-of-17). Airington scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 3-of-5 from three-point range. He also had four rebounds and two assists.

Ahmed recorded his second double-double of the season while score 13 points on 4-of-13 from the field and 5-of-9 from the three-point line while also pulling down 11 rebounds. Ahmed was named to the World Vision Classic All-Tournament team for CSUB as well for his standout efforts. South Dakota State's George Marshall was named tournament MVP.

“The way our guys jumped up and made shots tonight was refreshing it was something we knew we were capable of doing and then it happened tonight,” Barnes said.

The Roadrunners will now head to Cal on Sunday, December 28 to take on the Bears. That game will be available both on Newstalk 1180 and 96.1 FM KERN and will be televised regionally on the Pac-12 Network.