SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (13-12, 10-10 CCAA) was edged 70-63 by No. 2 Cal State East Bay (26-0, 20-0 CCAA) in its home finale on Saturday afternoon at The Sports Center.

TOP PERFORMERS
Chris Carrillo – 17 points | 2 steals | 1 assist
Dexter Stratton – 10 points | 10 rebounds | 1 assist
Max Tengan – 11 points | 1 rebound
Keavie Love – 9 points | 5 rebounds | 1 steal
Jaylin Leslie – 8 rebounds | 4 points

HOW IT HAPPENED

• East Bay opened the game on a 12-2 run behind three early 3-pointers from Ramsey Huff, forcing CSUSM to play from behind from the start.
• A three from Micah Boone and a layup by Max Tengan brought the Cougars within 12-7 at 15:20, but the Pioneers rebuilt their lead to 16-8.
• CSUSM fought back again with Tengan hitting another three at 12:13 and Nate Simon knocking down two free throws to close the gap to 16-13.
• East Bay answered with a series of baskets and free throws, ultimately taking a 33-27 lead into halftime. CSUSM shot 27.3% (6-of-22) in the first half while East Bay shot 39.3% (11-of-28).
• The Cougars opened the second half stronger, getting layups from Dexter Stratton and Love to trim the deficit to 35-31 with 18:17 remaining.
• East Bay responded with a 10-0 run, including threes from Jalen Foy and Huff, extending the margin to 45-31 at the 15:08 mark.
• CSUSM rallied again with a 10-0 run and cut the deficit to 54-48 on a Keavie Love second-chance layup with 5:35 to go.
• A Stratton layup and a pair of free throws pulled CSUSM within 56-52 at 4:39, the closest margin of the half.
• East Bay converted at the line and capitalized on timely steals, pushing the lead back to nine in the closing minutes.
• Love drilled a three with 24 seconds left to make it 68-63, but the Pioneers sealed the game with two free throws.
   

QUICK HITS

• CSUSM shot 34.0% from the field (17-of-50) while East Bay shot 44.0% (22-of-50).
• The Cougars were 23.1% from beyond the arc (3-of-13), compared to East Bay's 34.6% (9-of-26).
• CSUSM dominated the free throw line, making 26-of-34 (76.5%), while East Bay shot 60.7% (17-of-28).
• The Cougars outrebounded the Pioneers 37-33, including a 15-11 edge on offensive boards.
• CSUSM won the battle in the paint 26-20 and held a 17-12 advantage in fast-break points.
• East Bay forced 17 CSUSM turnovers and turned them into 21 points, while the Cougars collected 15 points off 16 Pioneer turnovers.
• CSUSM's bench contributed 22 points to East Bay's 29.
• Prior to the game CSUSM honored seniors Micah Boone, Keavie Love, Aaron Ragen and Dexter Stratton.
• CSUSM is now tied with Cal Poly Pomona for the sixth and final spot in the CCAA Tournament with two games to play.

 
UP NEXT
The Cougars will play their next-to-last game of the regular season on Thursday when they head to Chico State for a 7:30 p.m. tip.