SEASIDE --- Facing a 14-point deficit with 4:30 left to play, #Juston Willis# came off the bench to score 12 points in the next three minutes, but visiting Humboldt State University's Devin Peal scored 32 on the night and his teammates sank crucial free throws down the stretch to defeat Cal State Monterey Bay 86-80 Saturday night at the Otter Sports Center.

The Otters (2-10 overall and 1-5 in conference) were down 75-61 with 4:30 left when #DShon Cannon# began the comeback by grabbing  two offensive rebounds, resulting in Willis getting the first three points on a trey. In the ensuing 2:30, Willis would hit another trey, with an assist from Cannon, and convert a three-point play from the paint. Cannon completed an 11-0 run with two free throws of his own. Suddenly CSUMB was down 75-72 when HSU's Cy Vandermeer hit a three of his own. But Cannon found Willis open again for another three-pointer, capping his amazing run and bringing the Otters within a possession at 75-78 and 1:35 left.

But that was the last gasp for the Otters. With a minute to go, Vandermeer missed a shot in the paint a scrum for the rebound resulted in an offensive rebound and two free throws for Vandermeer, a bloody nose for the Otters' Joe Mitchell and two free throws for HSU due to a technical foul on CSUMB head coach Pat Kosta. HSU (10-3; 5-1) made three of the four free throws and led by six again with :59 left, which left too little time for the Otters.

Much of the game looked like a duel between HSU's muscular 6-4 forward Peal and the slender 5-9 Cannon. Peal had a spectacular night and led all scorers, scoring his 32 points by shooting14 of 22 from the field. He jumped through, over, under and around the defense, slithering through to the bucket. But Cannon, who scored 23 (8-14, 2-5 from the field) would often answer, slicing through from the perimeter for an often acrobatic layup. 

Vandermeer, a hefty 6-9 center, also had a big night for the 'Jacks, scoring 18 and and grabbing 17 rebounds. But #Joe Mitchell#, five inches smaller and at least 50 pounds lighter, was still able to counterbalance the big man, scoring 15 and also pulling down 17 rebounds. Other Otters to finish in double figures were Willis, with 14, and #Jose Sanchez# with 13.