PHOENIX, Arizona- The CSUB Roadrunners, trailing the entire second half, pulled within a point of Grand Canyon with 3:30 to play Saturday night before the Antelopes went on a 9-0 run to hold off CSU Bakersfield in the Western Athletic Conference opener 73-65 at GCU Arena.

The Roadrunners were playing their second game without leading scorer Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) due to an ankle injury but still managed 30 points in the paint thanks to aggressive guard play, but the 'Runners struggled containing the perimeter shooting and offensive rebounds of Grand Canyon in the loss.

 “I thought we had a couple of plays late where we gave up too many offensive rebounds to keep their possession alive but it was a good effort from our guys and I'm proud of their effort tonight,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “We just have to get back and get healthy with the guys we've got but I thought this was a different team than the team we were at North Carolina A&T, they followed the game plan and if we keep doing that, I think this team has a chance to be really good in league play.”

The Roadrunners led by as many as five points in the first half but allowed a 9-0 Grand Canyon run as the Antelopes took the lead for good on stellar three-point shooting as they converted on 8-of-16 first-half three-point attempts. The 'Runners trailed by as many as 11 in the frame but closed the half with a pair of jumpers in the final two minutes to trail 35-32 at the break.

CSUB had several chances in the post early in the second half but missed their first four field goal attempts, all of which were contested layups. The Antelopes, who only converted on 1-of-7 second-half three-pointers, still managed plenty of offensive production as they shot 60% from the field led by 24 points from DeWayne Russell who scored 14 in the second half while Daniel Alexander added eight second-half points for a total of 19 for Grand Canyon.

The Roadrunners managed once again however to force enough empty possessions by the Antelopes to make one final push. Having never led in the second half, the 'Runners converted on a Brent Wrapp (R-Fr., Boulder, Colo., Fairview HS) layup and free throw with 3:30 to play to make it 61-60 Grand Canyon. GCU responded however with their lone three-pointer of the half on the next possession made by Royce Woolridge. The 'Runners then missed their next two field goal attempts and a pair of free throws as Grand Canyon went on a 9-0 run to gain the final separation they needed for the win.

Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens N.Y., Odessa CC) scored a career-high 16 points for CSUB on 5-of-10 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Wrapp's nine points were also a career-high as he managed 4-of-7 from the field as well. Javonte Maynor (R-Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Georgia State) had one of his best offensive games of the season scoring 13 points on 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range.

“Give them credit (Grand Canyon) they made the shots they needed to make but we put ourselves in a position to win on the road but we couldn't make the plays to close out,” Barnes said. “I thought our guys were more on the attack which is something we can build on but I'm just happy with the way we followed the game plan but just let a few plays get away from us.”

The Roadrunners return home on Thursday, January 15 hosting defending WAC Tournament champion New Mexico State at the Icardo Center. The Aggies won their WAC opener 63-45 over Missouri-Kansas City Saturday night in Las Cruces, N.M.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. and tickets are available online at www.Vallitix.com. The first 100 CSUB students that bring another college team shirt or sweatshirt can also exchange it for an exclusive CSUB Roadrunners T-shirt.