BOX SCORE

SEASIDE, Calif. — Would that there were only one hero in Cal State Monterey Bay's thrilling overtime win Saturday night, the tale would be easier to tell. But heroes abounded for the Otters as several players stepped up in clutch moments to lead CSUMB over visiting Sonoma State 80–72 in The Kelp Bed.

Junior guard Brandon Ward (Riverside/Woodcrest HS) led CSUMB with a career–high 23 points, including a layup that gave CSUMB (2-3, 1-1 CCAA) a two possession lead in the final minute of overtime. Sophomore guard James Thomas (Castro Valley/Bishop O'Dowd) hit the biggest shot, however, nailing a three-pointer from the corner with 25 second remaining in regulation to force overtime. Thomas also drained a three on the second possession of overtime to give CSUMB a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

“I told (Brandon) today that he needs to be more of a scorer for us and he accepted that role tonight,” said CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop. “We brought J.T. in to be a shooter, but really his minutes were more reflective of his defense. He did a great job on (Will) Olsem, who is one of the best shooters in the conference.”

There was a bit of historic irony in the Thomas–Olsem connection Saturday night. Last season in The Kelp Bed, Olsem nailed a three with eight seconds remaining to force overtime in Sonoma's 89–86 win. This time, Thomas out–scored Olsem—finishing with a career–high 14 to Olsem's 11—while knocking down the clutch shot himself.

That the game ended in overtime came as little surprise as this one was tight throughout. Sonoma never led by more than five points while the Otters never led by more than four in a regulation that featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes.
Sonoma had several chances to ice the game in regulation, holding the ball with a three–point lead three times in the final three minutes. But the Otter defense stood firm, shutting out the Seawolves over the final 3:09 of the second half to set the stage for Thomas' big shot.

CSUMB never trailed in overtime, with Thomas' fourth three–pointer of the night putting the Otters ahead to stay at 71–68 with 3:26 remaining in the extra period. The Otters made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

In addition to Ward and Thomas, Derrick Anderson (Pittsburg HS) recorded his first collegiate double–double for CSUMB, finishing with 15 points and a career–high 14 rebounds. Junior forward Kevin Loustale (Chico HS/Shasta College) just missed his second double–double with 15 points and nine boards.

Led by Loustale and Anderson, the Otters out–rebounded the Seawolves 48–32. It was the third time in four games the Otters posted a rebounding edge of plus–15 or greater.

Steven Pratt led Sonoma (2–4, 0–2 with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Andrew Bolton chipped in 11 off the bench.

CSUMB now takes a three–week hiatus from CCAA action. The Otters return to the hardwood with a key West Regional match–up against Pac West Conference foe Notre Dame de Namur Dec. 10 in Belmont.



SONOMA STATE (72)
Steven Pratt 4-8 10-14 19; Will Olsem 3-12 3-4 11; Andrew Bolton 4-5 3-4 11; Sterling Arterberry 2-4 5-8 10; Brian Crow 3-8 1-3 7; Ashley Arnott 2-7 0-0 6; Patrick Scott 2-9 0-0 5; Jason Walter 1-1 0-0 2; Jason Silsdorf 0-0 1-2 1; Dougan Patience 0-0 0-0 0; Jabari Jenkins 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-55 23-35 72.

CAL ST. MONTEREY BAY (80)
Brandon Ward 9-15 2-2 23; Kevin Loustale 6-10 3-8 15; Derrick Anderson 5-9 5-7 15; James Thomas 5-11 0-0 14; Troy Watkins 1-2 2-2 4; Courtland Wharton 1-2 2-4 4; Geoff McIntosh 1-7 0-0 3; Jalen Headspeth 1-3 0-0 2; Jaron Devine 0-1 0-0 0; James Albert 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-60 14-23 80.

Halftime: SSU 37-35. Regulation 66-66. 3-point goals--SSU 7-28 (Olsem 2-8; Arnott 2-7; Pratt 1-4; Arterberry 1-2; Scott 1-5; Crow 0-2), CSUMB 8-23 (Thomas 4-9; Ward 3-7; McIntosh 1-6; Wharton 0-1). Fouled out--Crow, Ward. Rebounds--SSU 32 (Pratt, Crow, Brian 9), CSUMB 48 (Anderson 14). Assists--SSU 12 (Pratt 4), CSUMB 11 (Headspeth 5). Total fouls--SSU 18, CSUMB 25. Technical fouls--None. Attn: 491