SEATTLE, Wash. - The CSUB Roadrunners experienced their second-worst shooting night of the season from the field, managing just 27% while spotting Seattle a 16-point lead in the early stages of the first half, a lead the Redhawks would never surrender in a 53-43 win over Bakersfield Saturday night.

A win would have guaranteed CSUB a chance at no-worse than the third seed at the WAC Tournament with a chance at the two-seed. The loss complicates the postseason picture.

“It wasn't about second place coming out here tonight, it was about playing well,” said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. “Tonight I don't think we did that and now we've got to get back to work and do what we do…tonight we just didn't respond and that's disappointing.”

The Roadrunners struggled from the start as the Redhawks opened the game on a 17-1 run, holding CSUB without a field goal for the first 8:21 of the game. Seattle would lead by as many as 17 in the first half, holding the Roadrunners to just 5-of-25 from the field in the first half. Seattle used 11 first-half points from Isiah Umipig to lead 24-14 at the half.

Despite the poor shooting performance, the Roadrunners managed enough defense and forced Seattle turnovers to keep the game close. CSUB cut the second-half lead to seven points with 11:20 to play. The Redhawks however went on a 9-2 run to build a 14 points lead in the next three minutes.

The Roadrunners would get the deficit to as few as right points with 2:25 left but Seattle converted on free throws and held off any CSUB attack with just enough offense to earn the win. Seattle was limited offensively in the second half as well converting on just 5-of-15 (33%) from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range. The 'Runners were 9-of-27 from the field in the second half, good for 33% as well.

Seattle limited the Roadrunners post attack by allowing just eight points in the paint. CSUB leading score Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland CC) managed just three points, all from the free-throw line as he was 0-for-6 from the field. The Redhawks defense limited his shot selection and forced the 'Runners to jump shots all night. Tyrell Corbin (Sr., Columbia, S.C., Salt Lake City CC) led the way with 12 points for the Roadrunners on 5-of-10 from the field. He was the only scorer in double figures.

“We want to give them (Seattle) credit because anytime a team defends you and you don't score and take control of situations, you don't do what you're supposed to do,” Barnes said. “They did a good job of setting up zone and staying in it and when you're on the road you have to make shots.”

The loss sends the Roadrunners currently into the fourth seed in the WAC Tournament with one remaining regular-season game to play. The Roadrunners need to win next week at Utah Valley and need a Seattle loss to take over the third seed. UMKC defeated Grand Canyon today to improve to 8-5 in WAC play, they own the tiebreaker over CSUB thanks to their win over Grand Canyon.

Saturday's game is scheduled for a 7 P.M. (MT) tip off.