FULLERTON, Calif. – Five Cougars finished in double figures and the No. 3 Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team ran away from No. 11 MidAmerica Nazarene in a 95-80 victory on Monday night in the second game of the Hope Classic at Darling Pavilion.
The teams traded the lead 10 times in the first half, as MNU (1-6) went 6-of-8 from behind the arc to keep pace with CSUSM (7-0). However, the Cougars closed the frame with an 11-3 run to take a 50-43 lead into the break.
Wade Collie was 4-of-5 from downtown in the first half.
MNU edged within just five the rest of the way, and CSUSM went on a 10-0 run to make it a 15-point game, 53-68, with 12:04 remaining.
Blake Nash started the spurt with an up-and-under layup and followed with a 3-pointer from the right elbow.
Akachi Okugo hit a jumper and
Jacob Andersson capped it with another 3-pointer.
The Cougars would lead by as many as 22 on Collie's 3-pointer with 4:38 remaining.
Collie had 17 points and finished 5-of-8 from behind the arc. Nash led the Cougars with 20 points and six rebounds. He and Kygar had a trio of 3-pointers.
Julian Camper and
Declan Daly handled the post for CSUSM. Camper was 6-of-9 from the floor for 15 points and Daly hit all four of his shots. Daly pulled down six boards and added two blocks.
The Cougars will face Fisk in Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference play tomorrow at 5 p.m. to wrap up the Hope Classic.
