Bakersfield pull away from Utah Valley in WAC opener 55-40

LAS VEGAS (AP) Tyrell Corbin led a balanced attack and Cal State Bakersfield closed the game with a 13-1 run to defeat Utah Valley State 55-40 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

The fourth-seeded Roadrunners (14-18) made 15 of 19 free throws in the second half to earn a date with league-champion New Mexico State on Friday.

The Wolverines (11-19), seeded fifth, missed their last eight shots to finish in a 1 for 11 drought. Donte Williams had 15 points for Utah Valley State, which shot 25 percent in the second half, including 1 of 12 from 3-point range.

Aly Ahmed added 10 points for Bakersfield and Kevin Mays grabbed 14 rebounds.

Jaylin Airington's 3-pointer gave Bakersfield a 24-22 lead at the half. Javonte Maynor's 3 and Brent Wrapp's 3-point play midway through the second half put the Roadrunners up for good but Williams hit four of five free throws, and the Wolverines were within three with 4:34 to go.