Cal State San Marcos men's basketball has officially arrived.

After the team's much-hyped exhibition game at SDSU that ended in a hard-fought 15-point loss, the Cougars began their first-ever regular season on Saturday with a convincing and resounding win at home over Vanguard University 86-61.

Playing in front of a packed house at MiraCosta College, the Cougars gave the fans what they came for and.  It started from the opening tip, with guard Tim Steed taking the ball from coast to coast and throwing down a thunderous dunk.

That was one of numerous highlight-reel plays the ultra athletic Cougars made throughout the contest.  But Vanguard weathered the early fireworks and took advantage of a visibly nervous Cougar team, which turned the ball over 27 times in the contest.  After holding a double-digit lead early, CSUSM's advantage was narrowed to 37-34 at the half.

But it wouldn't stay that tight for long.  The Cougars came out in the second half and took control, looking composed and running a much more efficient offense.  CSUSM opened with an 11-2 run and never looked back, leading by as many as 29 at one point.

All five starters for the Cougars scored in double-digits, led by A.J. Chamberlain's 21.  Chamberlain was fantastic on the day, shooting 9-for-11 from the field.  Tim Steed chipped in 19 points and 8 boards, and Jacob Ranger added 15.  Big man Alpha Ndiaye scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds, while Jamel McGuire scored 12 and had numerous highlight-reel plays.

CSUSM's defense was active throughout the contest, limiting Vanguard to 36% shooting and 29% from behind the arc.

Over 1,200 fans at MiraCosta College cheered on the team in its first-ever regular season game.

The Cougars will begin play at the Las Vegas Tournament on November 12^th.