By Kaila Morales | Staff Writer |
CSUSB Men’s Basketball gave their all against conference leader, Chico State Wildcats on Feb. 13.
The game went back and forth as there was a total of 13 lead changes and 11 ties throughout the game. The Coyotes never allowed the Wildcats to be up more than four points during regulation.
However, after a strong second half from the Coyotes, the Wildcats were able to pull through, scoring the first 10 points in OT to defeat the Coyotes 91-79.
Senior Juan Martinez was CSUSB’s leading scorer with a total of 19 points against the Wildcats.
Sophomore Darryl Adigwu earned 12 points and led the team with eight rebounds.
“We played really hard, and had a good game as a team, we just couldn’t make shots in overtime, I think I played okay, but I definitely could of done better defensively toward the end of regulation,” said Adigwu.
The first half started with a layup by Senior Keith Smith with the assist to Junior Everett Turner.
The Coyotes took their first lead 7-4 with Adigwu’s 3-pointer, but it was answered right back with a 3-pointer by Wildcat Corey Silverstrom.
At 10:26, Smith’s layup was able to gain the Coyotes a three point lead, making the score 15-18.
With five minutes left and the Coyotes down by four points, they were able to get three turnovers, two of the three to Turner, and the other to Senior Zeke DeBlase.
Only being down by one, 30-31 at the end of the first half.
In the second half, the Coyotes struck back with more fire than the first.
Martinez gave the Coyotes their largest lead of the game at 41-34 with a jumper at 16:26.
The defense remained intact as the Wildcats finally gained a one point lead against the Coyotes at 11:24.
The game was tied a total of four times until the Wildcats took a four-point lead 72-68.
With only 33 seconds remaining, Martinez answered with a 3-pointer, but was quickly retaliated by Wildcats leading scorer Robert Duncan as he went to the line on a two-shot foul.
Getting only the first shot, giving the Coyotes the rebound as Duncan’s second shot was missed.
Turner’s attempted 3-pointer was missed, but as DeBlase received the rebound, he returned the ball back to Turner, who was fouled.
Turner hit both free throws to tie the game at 73 with five seconds left, which gave the Coyotes the opportunity to go to overtime.
However, the Coyotes weren’t able to pull off a win in OT, as the Wildcats aggressively scored 10 straight points, to take the game, 91-79.
“We have definitely proven that we are capable of competing with the best team in our conference, the Chico loss was unsettling, but we must put forth effort to compete,” said Turner.
“Effort comes from the heart, How bad do you want to win, What are you willing to do in order to win,” added Turner.
The Coyotes will be back at home Feb. 26 to play against the Sonoma State Seawolves.
Leave a Reply