LAS VEGAS, Nev.—CSU Bakersfield allowed nine Utah Valley points over the final 16 minutes of the second half as the Roadrunners defeated the Wolverines 55-40 in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament Thursday at the Orleans Arena.

The 40 points were the fewest points allowed this season by CSUB and the fewest points ever allowed to a Division I opponent by the Roadrunners.

"We don't worry about winning ugly or pretty, now's the time when we have to worry about moving to the next game," said CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. "Every win is pretty this time of year and we'll take it."

CSUB took a 10-0 lead to start the game as the Roadrunner defense forced the Wolverines to miss their first nine shot attempts. UVU would score for the first time 5:54 into the game. The Wolverines clawed their way back, scoring 22 of the next 31 points, taking a three-point lead when Zach Nelson connected on a three with 3:05 to play. UVU would not score again as the 'Runners scored the final five points of the opening stanza, capped off by a Jaylin Airington (R-So., East Chicago, Ill., Ventura College) three-pointer. CSUB led 24-22 at half.

The roles were reversed to start the second half as the Roadrunners did not score their first point until Airington made a pair of free throws 4:23 into the stanza. UVU would take its largest lead of the game, 31-24 at 16:17 of the second half. CSUB bounced back and mounted a 15-2 charge that was capped off by a pair of Aly Ahmed (Jr., Alexandria, Egypt, Midland College) free throws and gave the 'Runners a 39-33 lead coming out of the third media timeout of the second half.

The Wolverines would chip away at the CSUB lead, working it down to three, 42-39 at the 4:34 mark. Tyrell Corbin (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake CC) connected on a three on the ensuing Roadrunner possession that would key the final CSUB spurt of the game (10-1). Corbin would score four of his team high 13 points in the final 68 seconds to put the game away.

Ahmed would score 10 points and seven rebounds while Kevin Mays (Jr., Queens, N.Y., Odessa College) hauled in a game high 14 rebounds. Utah Valley was led by Donte Williams who scored a game high 15 points. Zach Nelson, who scored 29 points against the 'Runners last Saturday, was held to 12 for the game.

CSUB limited the Wolverines to five field goals in the second half and 12 for the game (12-of-45, 26.7%). CSUB forced 15 turnovers and made nine steals.

“Utah Valley is a tough team, they play hard, and their coach did a great job and I'm so sad to see him go. He's a great man that really cares about his players," Barnes said. "He had me confused and going for a long time but we finally figured it out and it's a big win for our program to get to the semifinals for the second year in a row."

CSU Bakersfield will take on the tournament's top seed, New Mexico State, on Friday at 6 p.m. This will be a rematch of the 2014 WAC Tournament semi-finals in which the Aggies defeated the Roadrunners 69-63. For more ticket information head to www.wacsports.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~