SEASIDE, Calif. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (3-2) split its time in the West Region Crossover after falling to the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (2-0)
 
Quoting Head Coach Brandon Rinta
"We needed to do a better job of guarding the three-point line today. That was an emphasis going in, and we gave up 15 of them. I give our guys credit for fighting the whole game. We dug ourselves out of a hole and cut it to one possession. Just couldn't get the stop we needed late."
 
Notable Stats

• Three-point percentage was the big presence as CSUMB hit 53.6 percent of its shots behind the arc versus Central's 33.3 percent.
• Bradley Swillie led the Wildcats in scoring with 29 total points, followed by Jordan Clark with 20 points.
• Clark also led the 'Cats with five assists, three steals, and a .500 shooting percentage–going 7-14 from the field.
• Garrett Marrs led the team in rebounds with seven total boards, followed by Clark and Eli Williams with six rebounds each.

 
First Half

• The Wildcats opened the game with a 7-0 run.
• CSUMB got a point off of a free throw and Central answered with a layup from Clark.
• The Otters got a 4-2 run to cut into the lead. Then, following a timeout, Monterey Bay got a 6-0 run to cut the lead to two points.
• Williams hit a three-pointer to build on CWU's lead, followed by a layup from Jalen Childs. That would be answered by Ariya Briscoe with a three-pointer to make it a four-point game.
• Scoring went cold for about two minutes before the Otters got a jump shot to fall to make it an 18-16 lead.
• The teams continued to battle as the lead shifted from Central leading to CSUMB tying it up multiple times.
• Then, with 5:04 left in the first half, Joey Bilello hit a three-point shot to give the Otters their first lead of the game at 27-25.
• Both teams continued to score–trading the lead a few more times as the first half expired with CSUMB taking a narrow 40-38 lead into halftime.

 
Second Half

• CSUMB opened the second half with a 7-2 run to build on its lead.
• Central responded with a 5-2 run to cut the lead to four points.
• The Otters got a 14-5 run to extend the lead as the three-pointers began to show an impact.
• The Wildcats found scoring chances through free throws as they attempted to chip away the double-digit lead of the Otters.
• CSUMB held double-digits on CWU until there was 6:07 remaining as Chae Haynes hit a layup to cut the lead to eight.
• The 'Cats continued to battle and cut the lead down to two with 1:44 left in the game.
• However, that's as close as Central would get, as the Otters continued to apply pressure through free throws and dunks and the Wildcats fell 88-92.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats return to the 'Burg to kick off the home opener on Friday, Nov. 21 against Chico State. Tip-off from Nicholson Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.