SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Winners of four in a row, the No. 20 Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team will host San Diego Christian on Tuesday night before heading to Salt Lake City for the Westminster Thanksgiving Classic.

The Schedule
Game 6
Tuesday, Nov. 20 – 7:30 p.m.
San Diego Christian (1-2) at No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (4-1)
Oceanside, Calif. – MiraCosta College

Westminster Thanksgiving Classic
Game 7
Friday, Nov. 23 – 6:00 p.m.
No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (4-1) at No. 13 Westminster (Utah) ( 6-1)
Salt Lake City, Calif. – Behnken Field House
Live Stats
Live Video

Westminster Thanksgiving Classic
Game 8
Saturday, Nov. 24 – 4:00 p.m.
Montana Tech (3-3) vs. No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (4-1)
Salt Lake City, Calif. – Behnken Field House
Live Stats
Live Video

Hot Start
Since their season-opening loss, the Cougars have won four straight, including a wins over No. 4 Robert Morris and No. 13 Biola. Their 4-1 record betters the 2-3 start to the 2011-12 season. The Cougars have shot 50 percent from the field while holding their opponents to 44 percent shooting in their last four wins.

Eyeing the Hawks
The Hawks enter Tuesday's game 1-2 overall on the young season, coming off a heartbreaking 85-84 loss to the University of Redlands on Nov. 17. SDCC came back from a double-digit deficit in the first half to take the lead with under 10 seconds remaining, but a pair of Bulldog free throws sealed the game for Redlands. CSUSM and SDCC have never met, despite the Hawks being just 40 minutes from San Marcos. Raphael Rodriguez's 53 percent shooting and 17.7 points per game lead SDCC.

Giving Thanks in Utah
The Cougars hit the road over the holiday break to face No. 13 Westminster and Montana Tech in the Westminster Thanksgiving Classic in Salt Lake City. Friday's contest with the Griffins will be the third test against a top-25 team for the Cougars this season. The Griffins beat the Cougars in the only other meeting between the teams, 76-66, on Nov. 11, 2011. CSUSM has never faced Montana Tech.

Cougars Tough Against Top 25
In their wins against top-25 teams this season, the Cougars have put up some pretty solid numbers. CSUSM has shot 48 percent and has forced 41 turnovers, compared to just 25 for CSUSM. Ali Langford is averaging a team-best 19 points and seven rebounds, while Jose Rivera is 8-of-17 from the three-point line and shooting 54 percent from the field. Bryan Emanuel is 10-of-14 (71 percent) and has made half of his threes (3-of-6) in games against top 25 teams.  

Probable Starters – Quick Facts
G – Hakeem Washington: Registered a career-high 17 points in win over Vanguard.
G – Jose Rivera: Averaged 15.5 points in two wins last week.
F – Jacob Ranger: 18 points, eight assists and two steals in win over Vanguard last week.
F – Quincy Lawson: Shooting 70 percent from the (26-of-37) field over last four games
F – Ali Langford: Tallied season-bests of 27 points and eight boards in win over No. 13 Biola.

Probable Reserves – Quick Facts
G – Bryan Emanuel: Five points, five steals, 2-of-3 from field in win over Biola.
G – Adam Alfaro: Has made every shot taken in 2012 (3-3, 1-1 3FG, 3-3 FT)
F – Jeremy Ford: Has appeared in all five contests as a reserve.
C – Kelly Lord: Season-best two points, two boards in win over Vanguard.
F – Adam Eakles: Shot 60-percent last week, made 6-of-7 free throws.

Initial Impression
The Cougars received their highest ranking in school history when NAIA coaches picked them at No. 20 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. It is the second time in program history CSUSM has been ranked, having previously been No. 24 from Jan. 9-15, 2012.

We Jammin'
CSUSM basketball alumnus Jamel McGuire was selected by the Bakersfield Jam of in the eighth round of the 2012 NBA Developmental League Draft on Nov. 2. He is the first Cougar to be drafted into the NBDL, the feeder league for the NBA. The Bakersfield Jam is an NBA affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors. McGuire averaged 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in his only season in Cougar blue.

Stayin' Social
Get an inside look into Cougar Athletics via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Like us at facebook.com/CSUSMcougars and follow along at twitter.com/CSUSMcougars. Also, you can watch highlights, previews and recaps at youtube.com/CSUSMathletics. Stay posted for giveaways and prizes throughout the season!

Season Tickets Still Available
Fans can get their seats for all of CSUSM's home contests today. The Cougars play all their home games at nearby MiraCosta College in Oceanside. Season ticket plans start as low as $65. VIP courtside seats are available for $100 with an additional $100 donation to the Cougar Athletic Club. Single game tickets are $7 for general admission, $5 for kids and seniors, and $4 for groups of 10 or more with previous arrangements. Visit CSUSMcougars.com/tickets for more information.