OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Led by Dayton Boddie's season-high eight steals, the top-ranked Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team started the new year off with a 96-63 victory over The Master's College on Saturday night at MiraCosta College.

Four Cougars finished in double figures with Blake Nash leading the way with 21 points and recording a 5-of-7 performance from behind the arc while adding six assists and three steals. Julian Camper collected 16 points and three rebounds while Boddie chipped in 11 points. Akachi Okugo came off the bench to add 13 points.

"We want to share the ball," said CSUSM head coach Jim Saia. "That's what we're all about at San Marcos."

With the victory, the Cougars improve to 17-2 overall. The Master's College dropped to 3-8 on the season.

The Mustangs kept it close early until a Nash three-pointer kicked off a 10-0 run, pushing the Cougars to a 22-9 lead and never looked back.
Boddie's eight steals included four in the final 2:14 of the first half, helping the Cougars to a 44-29 lead at the half.

A slow CSUSM start of the second half allowed the Mustangs to close the gap to ten points. Runs of 6-0 and 17-0 by the Cougar reserves increased CSUSM's lead to 79-48 with 8:30 to play, putting the game out of reach.

"We didn't come out with any fire, but that's why we have a bench and they took control of the game from there," Saia said.

The Cougars had 35 points off the bench, including nine from Tyson Kygar and eight from Jacob Andersson. Declan Daly added a game-high nine rebounds.

CSUSM forced 23 turnovers, which led to 25 points, while equaling a season-high with 14 made 3-point field goals.

The Cougars will host Biola on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at MiraCosta College.