SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team fell to Sonoma State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchup by a final score of 70-64, Saturday at The Sports Center.
 
The Cougars have now lost three straight games, dropping to 13-8 overall and 8-6 in conference play. The Seawolves improve to 13-5 overall and 9-3 in the CCAA.
 
CSUSM shot 43.6 percent (24-55) from the field, 33.3 percent (9-27) from behind the arc and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the charity stripe. SSU went 47.9 percent (23-48) on field goals, 53.3 percent (8-15) on 3-pointers and 64 percent (16-25) on free throws. The Cougars lost the turnover battle 14-12 and the rebound battle 28-27.
 
Senior guard Tyson Kygar led CSUSM with 15 points. With four made 3-pointers, Kygar became the new Cougar career three-point king, surpassing Akachi Okugo and Jacob Ranger's old mark of 122, with a total of 126. Junior guard Ethan Alvano pitched in 14 points and nine assists. Junior forward Joe Boyd collected his 11th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Jimmy Golden, Mason Phillips and Armani Nicolis were the leading scorers for the Seawolves with 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively.
 
The Cougars started off on the right foot and opened up to a four-point advantage, 18-14, on an Alvano 3-pointer. SSU responded with a 10-0 run to earn a 24-18 lead. CSUSM trailed the Seawolves at halftime, 37-30.
 
The Cougars started the second half on a 14-7 run to even the score, 44-44. CSUSM took the lead, 49-48, after a 3-pointer from junior guard Josh Spiers. It would be the last time the Cougars would be up as Khalid Johnson nailed a jumper on the next possession to ignite a 15-4 SSU run for a 10-point advantage, 68-58. The SSU lead was ultimately insurmountable as CSUSM fell by six.
 
The Cougars will have two days off before hosting a non-conference game against West Coast Baptist on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.