SEASIDE, Calif. — Eight–man Cal State Monterey Bay gave it a valiant effort, but it finally cracked under a late run as Cal State San Marcos pulled away down the stretch to earn a 77–66 win Saturday evening in The Kelp Bed.

CSUMB held the lead for more than 15 minutes, but San Marcos used a 17–0 run to turn a 50–48 Otter lead into a 65–50 advantage it wouldn't relinquish. In deep in foul trouble by that point, the Otters didn't have enough in reserve make a late run of their own.

Freshman guard Kevin Warren (Oakland/St. Mary's HS) hit five 3–pointers as part of his game–high 19 points. Sophomore forward Julien Ducree (Rancho Cucamonga HS) scored a career–high 17 points before fouling out during the decisive stretch.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… Ethan Alvano's midrange jumper found the hoop to make it 74–58 San Marcos with 2:34 remaining.

LIVING ON THE EDGE… The Otters finished Saturday's game with seven players available, two of whom had four fouls each.

BOMBS AWAY… Kevin Warren knocked down a personal best five 3–pointers Saturday versus San Marcos. That matches Stephen Matthews (Elk Grove/Sacramento HS) for the most by an Otter this season.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Kevin Warren 19; REBOUNDS: Julien Ducree/Gregg Polosky 5; ASSISTS: Jahvon Johnson 5; BLOCKS: Ducree/Polosky/Warren 1; STEALS: Jahvon Johnson 2.

THE LAST WORD… "We felt that (the post) was an area we could exploit. Julien (Ducree) was able to do that. He got on a little bit of a roll, hit a couple of face ups and was able to finish around the rim. He did a good job of staying focused on that end of the floor." – CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop on Julien Ducree's career–high 17–point game

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters hit the road for the next three games, beginning Saturday at Cal State East Bay. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of men's/women's doubleheader action.