BERKELEY, Calif.,- The CSUB Roadrunners embarked on a 15-0 run after trailing early Sunday at Cal and never let that lead go, leading the Bears by as many as 17 in a 55-52 upset of Cal at Haas Pavilion.

It was the first win for the Roadrunners against a Pac-12 opponent and CSUB's first win over Cal in three tries as the 'Runners sent Cal (10-3) to their first loss to an opponent outside the top-25. Cal's previous losses had come to Texas and most-recently Wisconsin.

“I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this win, this team has battled and fought through tough losses but tonight it paid off with a good game plan and a huge win for our program,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “I'm proud of our kids, the way they played tonight on the road at someone else's home court, we played our game, we made it ugly and got the win.”

Cal led early following a free throw and a field goal before CSUB went on a 15-0 run to lead by 12 with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) scored eight of those points in the run and added an assist as well. CSUB led by as many as 17 in the frame forcing 13 Cal turnovers and limiting the Bears to just 37% shooting from the field.

The Bears closed the first half on a 9-3 run as CSUB led 30-20 at the half.

Cal would once again chip away at the lead the entire second half but CSUB managed enough defensive stops and offensive shots to keep the Bears at bay. Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ind., Ventura CC) hit a pull up jumper with just over three minutes to play to keep the CSUB lead at seven points 50-43.

Cal's Tyrone Wallace cut the lead to six with a free throw on the next possession and Cal cut the lead to four following a CSUB missed jumper and David Kravish jump hook in the lane. The 'Runners turned the ball over on the next possession, allowing Cal an easy layup to cut the lead to 50-48 with 1:11 to play.

The Roadrunners however would make five of their next six free throws and were aided by a key offensive rebound and a Cal turnover with five seconds to play to extend the lead to 55-50. Wallace scored on an undefended layup with less than a second to play. The 'Runners managed to inbound the ball after the timeout as time expired.

It's the second straight loss for Cal and the second-straight win for the Roadrunners.

“We watched the film pregame and talked about the old 'Bad Boys,' how they played defense and didn't care about scoring,” Barnes said. “That's what we were focused on tonight, playing defense and it worked out for us.”

CSUB had never defeated a Pac-12 opponent prior to Sunday night's win at Cal.

Along with Ahmed's 19 points, he recorded his third double-double of the season while pulling down 10 rebounds. Airington added 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. Both CSUB and Cal shot an identical 18-of-46 from the field (39%).

CSUB forced 18 Cal turnovers, scoring 20 points off those turnovers in the victory.

The Roadrunners return home Wednesday afternoon as they host LaVerne at 2 P.M. on New Year's Eve. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com, a special 50% off deal is also available by entering the promo code “resolution” at checkout.