Men's Basketball | January 27, 2015

SEASIDE, Calif. — The Otters will play their third consecutive game against a team atop the CCAA standings when they begin a 2-game Southern California road swing at conference co-leader Cal Poly Pomona Friday (Jan. 30) in Kellogg Gym.

Last weekend, the Otters knocked off CCAA leader Cal State Stanislaus. Thanks to that win, they played co-leader Chico State the following night, coming up on the short end of that decision.

The Otters picked up their first-ever win in Pomona last season, handing then No. 18 ranked Cal Poly at 60-57 setback. The Broncos are loaded once again this season, however, and already own a 63-54 win over CSUMB back on Dec. 6.

CSUMB will close it's 2-game trip with a visit to UC San Diego's RIMAC Arena Saturday (Jan. 31). Tipoff both nights is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of men's/women/s doubleheader action.

Fans who can't make it to the games can listen to Rob Ponce call the action live on KION's iHeartRadio stream Friday and over the air on KION 1460 AM/101.5 FM Saturday. Both Cal Poly Pomona and UCSD will provide free live video streams on their respective websites. Be sure to visit Gameday Central for the appropriate links.
 

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BRONCO 3–DOT NOTES (13–4, 9–3 CCAA): The Broncos make the turn in the CCAA race right where theyÆve usually found themselves this century: battling for the conference lead…as usual, they're riding a stifling defense which is ranked No. 2 nationally allowing just 55.8 ppg…have held 11 of 17 oppnents below 60 points…have held four opponents below 50, including San Francisco State, which scored just 32 points back on Jan. 9…individually, Terrence Drisdom just retook the CCAA scoring lead from Evan Zeller…Drisdom, who also leads the Bronco rebounders at 6.5 rpg, now leads the circuit at 16.7 ppg…Jr./F Jordan Faison chips in 13.4 ppg.

WHEN LAST WE MET: The Otters took a 5–point lead into the lockerroom before the Bronco defense clamped down in the second half to lead Cal Poly to a 63–54 win in The Kelp Bed on Dec. 6. It was the Otter defense that called the shots early, forcing 15 first half Bronco turnovers. Cal Poly won the turnover battle (9–4) in the final stanza while limiting the Otters to one offensive rebound in the second half. Nevertheless, it remained a 1–possession game until the final 69 seconds. Alex Fertig led the Otters with 16 points. Terrence Drisdom and Jordan Faison scored 19 each for Cal Poly.

WHEN LAST WE PLAYED: The Otters couldn't complete their quest to knock off first place teams on back–to–back nights as Chico State broke open a 3–point game in the second half to win 78–56. Junior post Marquise Washington came off the bench to score a season–high 16 points.

THIS DATE IN OTTER HISTORY: The Otters are a spotless 5–0 in games played on Jan. 30, although they haven't played on the date since defeating Cal State Stanislaus 74–68 on Jan. 30, 2010.

THE 900 CLUB: With 18 points last week, Alex Fertig put himself in prime position to continue his asencion of the CSUMB career scoring ladder. He now needs 12 points to catch D'Shon Cannon (946) and 16 to catch Davion Berry (950) for seventh and sixth place respectively. If he maintains his current pace, he'll finish his junior campaign as the No. 3 scorer in Otter history. Brandon Ward owns the Otter all–time scoring record of 1,231 points (2010–13).

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE: Friday night's game features the CCAA's No. 1 (and NCAA's No. 2) ranked defensive team in Cal Poly Pomona (57.1 ppg allowed) vs. the CCAA's No. 2 offensive team in CSUMB (72.4 ppg scored).

QUINTUPLE DOUBLE FIGURES: The Otters placed five scorers in double figures Jan. 17 at Humboldt State, the first time they have accomplished the feat this season. The last time five Otters turned that trick in a single game came in an 89–83 win over Cal State East Bay on Dec. 20, 2013.

ANOTHER DOUBLE–DOUBLE: Greg Anderson posted his second double–double of the season (and the fifth of his career) with 13 points and 11 rebounds at Humboldt State. In fact, Anderson owns CSUMB's last four double–double. The last Otter not named Greg Anderson to record a double–double was Kris Gallop, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds at Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 10, 2014.

OTTERS AMONG THE CCAA LEADERS: With Evan Zeller, the league's No. 2 scorer, leading the way, the Otters are well represented in the CCAA's Top 10 lists. Otters making the grade include: SCORING: No. 2 Evan Zeller (16.1 ppg); *3PT%: No. 4 Evan Zeller (.402); FT%: No. 3 Daye Turner (.851), No. 9 Evan Zeller (.798); REBOUNDS: No. 5 Greg Anderson (6.7 rpg), No. 9 Jorey Scott (5.5); ASSISTS: No. 5 Patrick Lefiti (3.3 apg).  *Min. 2.0 made per game

IT'S A TEAM GAME: The Otters are also well–represented among the CCAA team stat leaders, including topping the circuit in rebounding (36.0 rpg). They enter the Stanislaus game ranked No. 2 in the CCAA scoring race at 72.4 ppg. They also rank No. 2 in assists (12.9 apg) and No. 5 in field goal (.455) and free throw (.691) shooting percentages.

HE GIVITH AND HE TAKETH AWAY: Alex Fertig enters the Pomona game holding the No. 8 spot on the CSUMB career assist list with 143. He needs 4 more to catch Steve Becker for No. 7. On the flip side, he enters the game No. 6 on the Otter career steals list with 76. He needs three more to catch Steve Monreal for fifth. He has a chance to catch Joe Mitchell's school record of 91 by season's end.