Box Score
Box Score

The banged up Cal State San Marcos Men's Basketball team played much of the game without two of their prominent players due to injury, but played a strong Azusa Pacific team tight until the end, losing 63-55. 

Missing leading scorer Tim Steed, the Cougars were already facing an uphill battle against the #10 team in the NAIA, but it got worse in the 4th minute when point guard Danny Redmon was injured after setting up teammate Alpha Ndaiye with an authoritative alley-oop  to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars were forced to go deep into their bench early and often, but played with tough resolve in keeping the game tight throughout. APU held a 31-24 halftime lead, but play was even throughout.

Azusa Pacific made three straight shots to start the second half, giving them a 13 point lead with 19 minutes to play. Cal State San Marcos slowly but surely clawed their way back, taking the lead 50-49 after back-to-back buckets by AJ Chamberlain. The Cougars were able to extend their lead to 4, holding a 55-51 lead with 4:22 left to go in the game, but didn't score again after that point.

CSUSM was still in the game with a 1:03 to go and possession of the ball, but after a missed lay-up by Jamel McGuire, the Cougars were forced to foul, and Azusa made a few free throws down the stretch to close the game.

Jacob Ranger and Alpha Ndiaye each scored 14 points for the Cougars, and AJ Chamberlain added 11 points and 12 rebounds. CSUSM (5-6) shot only 5 of 12 from the free throw line, while Azusa (7-2) struggled from the line as well, hitting only 6 of 18. The Cougars will have time to recover from a busy basketball week with no games until Dec. 19th, when they host Arizona Christian at home.

Note: CSUSM's fall sports were honored at halftime for their successes. Volleyball, Men's and Women's Soccer, and Men's and Women's Cross Country all won A.I.I. conference championships in 2011, and were recognized by the fans. The women's cross country team enduced the biggest cheers as they walked out holding their 2011 NAIA National Championship banner.