SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team was able to climb out of a 22-point hole, but ultimately fell to Cal State San Bernardino by a final score of 106-100 in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contest, Saturday night at Coussoulis Arena.
The Cougars drop to 13-6 overall and 8-4 in conference play. The Coyotes improve to 8-7 overall and 4-6 in the CCAA.
CSUSM shot 61.7 percent (37-60) from the field, including 61.9 percent (13-21) from behind the arc, and 92.9 percent (13-14) from the charity stripe. CSUSB went 62.9 percent (39-62) on field goals, 57.6 percent (19-33) on 3-pointers and 75 percent (9-12) from the free throw line. The Cougars won the rebound battle 26-19. The Coyotes won the turnover battle 19-12.
Junior guard
Ethan Alvano led CSUSM with 29 points, a season-high 13 assists and four steals. Junior guard
Josh Spiers and senior guard
Tyson Kygar compiled 21 and 18 points, respectively. Everett Turner, Dorian Butler and Ramon Eaton were CSUSB's leading scorers at 23, 17 and 16 points, respectively.
The Cougars took control early and grabbed a 10-4 advantage after a 3-pointer from Spiers. The Coyotes responded and evened the score, 12-12. CSUSB used a big 22-4 run in the middle of the first half to take a 51-32 lead. The Coyotes grabbed their biggest advantage, 22 points, 58-36, after a jumper from Eli Brown. A
Brian Wright layup and Alvano buzzer-beating 3-pointer cut the gap to 17 points, 58-41, at halftime. CSUSM gave up a total of 10 treys to the Coyotes.
The Cougars found their rhythm to begin the second half and went on a 17-5 run to close the gap to five points, 63-58. The Coyotes answered with an onslaught of their own and grabbed a 15-point lead, 79-64. CSUSM didn't falter and came all the way back to even the score, 95-95, on a layup from Wright with exactly two minutes remaining. The Cougars ultimately fell as they couldn't stop CSUSB's offense down the stretch and fell by six.
CSUSM will have five days off before hosting SF State on Thursday, Jan. 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
