SEASIDE -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team saw a promising start come to a halt in a hurry Friday night against Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Golden Eagles scored the first six points of the game before the Otters struck back with an 11-0 run and led the rest of the way in a 71-59 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory at the Kelp Bed. Cal State LA (7-17, 6-11 CCAA) had its four-game winning streak snapped and failed to pick up ground in the CCAA standings. Cal State Monterey Bay (12-12, 10-8 CCAA) has clinched a spot in the eight-team CCAA Championship Tournament and is still vying for fourth place and a first-round home game.
Duce Zaid scored a game-high 26 points for the Golden Eagles, while
Dushon Carter had 10 points.
Jonathan Davis had six points and nine rebounds, while
Collin Johnson had six points and five rebounds.
Ryan Nitz had a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Otters, while Alex Fertig had 17 points and Mateo Jones had 13 points.
Cal State LA shot just 36 percent (21-of-60), while Cal State Monterey Bay shot 47.5 percent (29-of-61). The Golden Eagles were 6-of-21 from 3-point range, while the Otters were 8-of-26. Cal State LA was just 11-of-19 from the free-throw line, while Cal State Monterey Bay was 5-of-8. Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 44-35, and committed just 10 turnovers to 12 for the Otters.
The Golden Eagles opened the game with 3-pointers from
Joshua Munzon and Zaid to take a quick 6-0 lead, but the Otters scored the next 11 points as part of a 17-2 run that turned the game around. The Otters built first-half leads as large as 18 points and settled for a 39-25 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles pulled to within 10 points at 45-35 after a layup by Carter with 16 minutes to go, but the Otters scored the next seven points to regain control.
Cal State LA had one more run, scoring eight straight points to pull to within 52-43 following a
Brandon Hitchman 3-pointer with 12:38 to go, but Cal State Monterey Bay countered by scoring the next five points and led comfortably the rest of the way.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at Cal State East Bay.
