Cal State Monterey Bay travels north this weekend with a game against Humboldt State University on Friday and Sonoma State on Saturday, and members the men's basketball team will be reaching some milestones along the way.

Point guard #DShon Cannon# will make his 68th career start when he faces HSU, which is the most starts in CSUMB basketball history. Cannon is currently second in games played with 77 and his teammates #Joe Mitchell# (75) and #Augie Johnston# (74) are right behind him. Johnston will take over sole possession of fourth on that list with his next game. 

If Cannon can muster 26 points between the two games, he will become CSUMB's third all-time leading scorer. He currently has 839 career points, trailing Jay Demaestri, who played from 2003 to 2006. Johnston is also climbing the career scoring charts. He needs 30 points to reach 800 for his college career and needs just two three-point goals to become the schools second all-time three-point shooter. Two field goals will also lift Johnson to fifth on the list in field goals made.

Joe Mitchell, who is averaging 10.1 rebounds a game, needs 13 to reach 500 for his career and become the school's all-time leading rebounder. The 6' 4” forward is currently leading the CCAA in rebounds. Unfortunately, Mitchell dislocated his kneecap Saturday night against Chico State and will not be able to play this weekend.

“We will have to find a new personality for the team without the presence of Joe,” said CSUMB head coach Pat Kosta. “He's been a huge part of what we do.”

The team has won six games in a row and has been able to muster a 7-7 record in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The run has lifted the team from last in the conference to seventh place and in position to make the postseason tournament. Sonoma State (5-9) is currently ninth and will be desperate for a win against CSUMB as only the top eight make the tourney. The Otters defeated Sonoma State 91-79 at home on Jan. 11. The following night, CSUMB fell to HSU 86-80. The Lumberjacks are currently tied for third place with a 9-5 record in the CCAA.

Kosta said he always looks forward to this particular road trip because both venues provide a fun college atmosphere. “We're coming in with a lot of confidence, so the trip will seem shorter, too,” he said.

HSU's Devin Peale scored 40 points in the previous game against CSUMB. Kosta said that matchup will be especially difficult without Mitchell to guard him. But the Otters' quickness and outside shooting will create problems for the Lumberjacks as well.

“Cal State Monterey Bay represents a very difficult matchup for us,” said HSU head coach Tom Wood. “They shoot the three well, and are tough to cover. We have our own offensive strengths that are difficult for them, but it all depends on how well we can cover them.”

Both Friday's and Saturday's game will begin after the conclusion of the women's game, approximately 7:30 p.m. Otter fans can follow the game as play-by-play announcer Rob Ponce calls the action. Listeners can tune into the audio link on the Otterathletics.com Web site or by listening to KRXA 540 AM.