SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Nov. 9) – The Central Washington University (0-1) men's basketball team opened the Brandon Rinta Era with a 96-86 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
The Wildcats trailed early, 16-8, before Central opened a 12-0 run for a 20-16 advantage.  Central finished the first half converting shots at a clip of 52.9 percent and made 84.6 percent of their free throws.
 
"They came out hitting from the three-point line," Rinta said afterward.  "It felt like they hit their first five three's and seven shots.  Defensively, it took us a while to tighten up and guard.  It was a game of runs with each team making three or four big ones.  Thankfully we were able to make the last one.  Malcolm [Cola] and Gamaun [Boykin] came up big tonight, especially in the rebound department."
 
The Otters opened the game by making their first six shots, extending their lead with a trio of treys before the Wildcats went on their 12-0 run. 
 
Leading by just two, 22-20, seven minutes into the opening stanza, Central went on their second run.  The Wildcats extended their lead to 11, 39-28, thanks to a 17-8 run.  A layup from Jeryn Lucas with 5:24 left in the half gave the Wildcats a 13-point lead, the largest lead of the half. 
 
Monterey Bay took the last two minutes of the first half for a run of their own, battling back from a 50-37 deficit to just a 50-46 margin at the buzzer.
 
Central's lead fluctuated in the early minutes of the second half.  The Otters cut the score line to 71-70, in favor of the Wildcats, with 10 minutes left to play.  A jumper from Malcolm Cola gave the Wildcats breathing room, but the Otters were able to take a one-point lead with just 7:21 remaining in regulation. 
 
Gamaun Boykin knocked down a free throw less than 50 seconds later to level the score at 75-75.  Boykin then made his next two free throws to re-establish a slim lead for the Crimson and Black. 
 
After Jahvon Jackson made a pair of free throws for the Otters, a layup from Jackson Price put the 'Cats up three.  The basket exchange continued as the lead teetered in favor of Central.  Cola and Boykin combined for three quick baskets and a free throw, giving the Wildcats an 87-79 lead.
 
Cola finished with a team-high 33 points and hauled in 13 rebounds, as well as one block and two steals.  Boykin tallied 23 points, a team-high 15 rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal.
 
Defensively in the second half, the Wildcats held Monterey Bay to a shooting percentage of 40, including a 2-for-13 mark beyond the arc. 
 
"Our defense was better overall in the second half," Rinta added.  "We fouled a bit more, but the fact we were able to hold them to 40-percent from the field in the second half was the difference."
 
Central made good on second chances, picking up 21 second chance points and holding the Otters to just 12 second chance points.  The Wildcats were lethal from close range, scoring 56 of their 96 points in the paint.  They also out rebounded the Otters 47-36.
 
The Crimson and Black are back in action tomorrow (Nov. 10) as they take on Cal State San Bernardino at 7:30 p.m.