Box Score
Box Score

CSUSM men's basketball had the ball in Tim Steed's hands with a chance to win Saturday night.  That's a situation the team will usually take against a tough team on the road, but it wasn't meant to be on Saturday night, as CSUSM fell to Cal Baptist 67-66.
 
The Cougars fall to 2-3 in their inaugural season.  Cal Baptist, now a member of NCAA Division II, improves to 2-0.
 
Cal Baptist jumped out to a big early lead, going up 16-4 to start the game and threatening to run the Cougars out of the gym.  But CSUSM proved its resilience, battling back with a furious run in the half's final three minutes to cut the lead to 4.  A pair of blocks by Alpha Ndiaye spurred the rally, as did a Jacob Ranger three.
 
But the Lancers quickly extended the lead to a more comfortable 9 points to start the second half, and maintained that advantage through most of the action. 
 
With 10 minutes left though, CSUSM began a 7-0 run to cut it to 2 points, and with 1:24 left another Ranger three got the Cougars to within 64-63.  But CBU responded with a layup, and after both teams hit one of two free throw attempts, a Steed layup and one gave the Cougars a chance to tie.  The free throw rimmed out, but Steed collected his own rebound, giving CSUSM a chance to win it.  A steal ended the game, however, as Cal Baptist escaped with the 67-66 decision.
 
Ranger led the Cougars off the bench, shooting 6-for-11 including 3-for-6 from three to score 17 points.  Steed tallied 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting to go along with 4 assists.  Ndiaye had an excellent game up front, scoring 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting, grabbing 6 rebounds and recording 4 blocks.  Redmon hit 5 of his 10 shots to score 11 points, and made 3 steals on defense.  A.J. Chamberlain added 10 points and 4 rebounds.
 
As a team, CSUSM shot 55.1% from the field and 40% from three.  Both teams shot under 50% from the free throw line, leaving plenty of points on the board.
 
The Cougars will be back at home this Wednesday to take on Embry-Riddle (FL).