Box Score OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Adam Eakles threw down a two-handed tomahawk jam, did a chin-up on the rim and pointed back at a crazed student section as he jogged back down the court, providing a glimpse of what the Cougar faithful would witness in the University's first-ever Homecoming Game.
Cal State San Marcos jumped all over Daemen College from the outset, lighting up the gym with a series of highlight-reel plays in an 88-74 victory on Saturday night at MiraCosta College.
Malcolm Lemmons led the way with 20 points, Bobby Macias added 15, and three others finished in double figures as CSUSM improved to 4-0 on the young season. The Cougars shot 50.8% (31-of-61) from the field, 48% (12-25) from 3-point range, and led by as many as 26 in the victory.
Eakles' dunk ignited an electric environment and the Cougars jetted out to a 19-point lead by the 7:59 mark of the first half.
CSUSM shot nearly 60% in the first half and drained 10 3-pointers to take a 14-point advantage into the break. Lemmons was 5-of-7 in the opening frame and Macias connected on both of his 3-pointers.
Midway through the second half, Lemmons' hustle play put the crowd into a frenzy. The senior guard saved a ball traveling out of bounds, crashed into the scorer's table, then returned to finish a two-on-one breakaway with a double-clutch layup to hand CSUSM a 75-53 lead.
De'End Parker's layup gave the Cougars their biggest lead of the game two minutes later, 79-53, and the Cougars sailed the rest of the way.
Parker tallied 14 points, Eakles registered 13 and Johnson recorded 12 with a game-high seven assists.
Macias went 5-of-7 from the field, while Eakles went 6-of-10. Zack Zaragoza led the Cougars with seven rebounds.
Daemen (2-2) did not lead at any point of the contest and there were no ties.
CSUSM will host its next four games. The Cougars take on Olivet Nazarene on Thursday night before playing Vanguard on Saturday night.