BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- The formula remained the same for the CSUB Roadrunners Thursday night, start fast, jump out to a double-digit lead, balance the scoring and win a conference game, the only difference in this one was the setting as CSUB won their Western Athletic Conference home opener 77-58 over UT Rio Grande Valley at the Icardo Center.

The victory improved the Roadrunners to 14-5 this season and 4-0 in WAC play, it was also their sixth-straight victory and 12-straight win at home dating back to last season. The Roadrunners are now 9-0 at the Icardo Center in 2015-16.

“I thought our guys really came out focused and we harped on that after Seattle making sure our guys stayed focused as we tried to prepare,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “I thought our kids responded as they have all season, this team is playing really well right now and I thought we shot the ball really well from the field today.”

CSUB's defense was established early once again as they jumped out to a 15-4 lead just 4:19 into the game paced by six quick points by senior forward Kevin Mays who finished the game with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, good for his fifth double-double of the year.  The Roadrunners led by as many as 20 points in the first half while shooting 56% (18-of-32) from the field. Dedrick Basile scored 12 points in the half as well on 5-of-6 from the field, he finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 from the field while dishing out five assists in the win.

After a 5-0 run to end the half by UTRGV (6-14, 2-3 WAC), the Vaqueros managed to get back into the game after a 1-of-6 start from the field by the 'Runners in the second half. UTRGV went on a 12-2 run to start the second half and cut the lead to five points at 43-38 with 14:49 to play following a Dakota Slaughter three pointer. The Roadrunners would then embark on a 20-6 run following a timeout to stretch their lead to 19 points with just over seven minutes remaining. In that stretch the Roadrunners post and transition play was strong as Aly Ahmed scored 12 of his 16 points in the game during the run. He was 8-of-14 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds as well.

Damiyne Durham rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points as well for the 'Runners who recovered from the slow second half start to shoot 50% from the field. Durham was 4-of-7 from three-point range as the Roadrunners finished 33-of-62 from the field (53%) and 5-of-12 (42%) from the three. CSUB also recorded 18 assists to go along with a season-low eight turnovers.

Slaughter led the Vaqueros with 12 points and eight rebounds while Shaquille Hines scored 11 for UTRGV who dropped to 0-10 on the road this season.

CSUB will continue their home stand on Saturday night hosting defending WAC champion New Mexico State (12-8, 4-1 WAC). The Aggies defeated Seattle U Thursday night 68-60 in Seattle.

“Obviously they're a good team (NM State) and they've been a thorn in our side for the last three or four years,” Barnes said. “We'll be ready, I think our guys are looking forward to it, should be a great crowd and I'm hoping we sell the place out.”

Nearly 3,200 tickets have already been sold for Saturday's game, fans are encouraged to buy in advance at the Icardo Center box office from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. on Friday and beginning at 9 A.M. on Saturday. Orders are also being accepted by calling 654-BLUE or online through Vallitix.com. Tip off is scheduled for 7 P.M.