IRVINE, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team never trailed in a 92-77 victory over Concordia (Calif.) on Wednesday night at CU Arena.

CSUSM started the game with a 13-2 spurt and then held CUI scoreless over the final 5:49 of the first half to take a comfortable halftime lead, 40-29. The Eagles never got closer than 10 in the second half.

CSUSM (2-0) has now won five straight against CUI (2-1) over the last three seasons and holds a 5-4 advantage in the all-time series.

Darnell Taylor poured in a game-high 25 points (11-of-16) in his Cougar debut, adding seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. Akachi Okugo pitched in 17 points while Declan Daly recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Cougars, who shot around 35-percent in their two exhibitions to start the season, recorded a 55-percent clip in their first official game as a NCAA Division II Candidacy member. They held the Eagles to just 38.5-percent shooting on the night.

Matt Scott led the Eagles with 18 points and Stephen Grosey added 14.

The Cougars led by 14 less than eight minutes into the game, but the Eagles responded with a 22-8 run to tie the game at 29-29.

Okugo responded with a layup out of a timeout before adding a pair of free throws on the next possession. A jumper from Daly made the lead seven and then the big man came up with a steal that created an easy bucket for Taylor. Daly then capped the half with a layup off a dish from Okugo to hand the Cougars an 11-point lead at the break.

A 7-0 run topped off by a bucket from Taran Brown made the Cougar lead 17 three minutes into the second half.

CUI was able to get back within 13 points, but 3-pointers from Andrew Bournes and Brown put the game out of reach with under five minutes to play.

CSUSM hosts its first home game of the season on Saturday night at MiraCosta College against San Diego Christian. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.