SEASIDE, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team took full advantage of a Cal State San Bernardino team off to its slowest start in 25 years, handing the Coyotes a 93–81 defeat Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

Senior swingman Ryan Nitz (Rancho Cucamonga/Chaffey College) matched his career high with 29 points while chipping in six boards, three assists and two steals. Senior guard Alex Fertig (Fresno/Buchanan HS) added 19 points to close to within 26 points of Brandon Ward's CSUMB career scoring record of 1,231.

Fertig added his 92nd career steal Friday night to take the Otter career record in that category from Joe Mitchell.

San Bernardino led by as many as six points early in the game. The contest was tied at 24–24 inside of nine minutes to play in the first half when Mateo Jones (Victorville/Silverado HS) scored five points in a 14–1 run that gave the Otters their first double–digit lead of the night at 38–25. San Bernardino never got closer than six points the rest of the way.

The Otters will try to close their brief homestand with a flourish Saturday night when No. 13 ranked UC San Diego visits The Kelp Bed for a 7:30 p.m. tip.