SEASIDE --- Cal State Monterey Bay's amazing season came to a disappointing end Tuesday night as the Otters lost to visiting CSU Dominguez Hills 56-53 in the first round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.
Juston Willis led the Otters' effort with 16 points and eight rebounds. Augie Johnston scored 10. Rodney Yearby and Nonso Nibo led Dominguez Hills with 13 apiece.
CSUMB was able to keep the game close throughout even though the Otters were dominated inside. CSUMB lost the rebound battle 32-22 and allowed CSUDH to get 14 offensive boards. The Toros scored 30 points from inside the point compared to the Otters' 12. But there were 13 lead changes and the score was tied eight times.
Willis tied the game for the final time at 53-53 with two free throws with 1:35 left in the game. Dominguez Hills' Jonathan Tolliver later put the Toros ahead for good at 55-53 with a jumper from the top of the key with one second left on the shot clock and 1:01 left in the game. After the Otters failed to answer that bucket, less than 30 seconds remained and CSUMB was forced to start fouling.
Dominguez Hills missed some free throws to give the Otters a chance but they couldn't connect. James Cawthorne hit just one of two and the Otters had the ball back with 27 seconds, but turned it over 18 seconds later without taking a shot. CSUMB then quickly fouled Nibo and he missed the front end of one-and-one and Jose Sanchez came down with the rebound with 2.7 seconds left. That left one last desperate chance and D'Shon Cannon (8 points on the night) took a shot from just across the half court line and the ball hit off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
CSUMB had started the season 1-9 overall and 1-7 in the CCAA before reeling off six straight victories and winning 10 of their last 13 to finish the regular season 12-14 overall and 11-9 in the CCAA. That earned the Otters a fourth seed and a home game in the postseason. But Dominguez Hills seemed to have the momentum Tuesday night and the Toros will now be heading to CSU San Bernardino where the remainder of the postseason will be played.
