OTTERS vs. PIONEERS HIGHLIGHTSSEASIDE, Calif. —
Ryan Nitz continues to outdo even himself. The senior swingman from Rancho Cucamonga set a career scoring high for the third time in less than three weeks, this time with 33 points in an 81–69 win over Cal State East Bay Tuesday night in The Kelp Bed.
Nitz scored a career–high 29 points Jan. 15 in a win over San Bernardino, then topped that with 31 points the following night in a win over nationally–ranked UC San Diego. This time, his 17 points in the second half to break open what was a close game for the first 30 minutes.
The Pioneers led for more than 15 minutes in the first half, but the Otters rallied from seven points down to tie the game at 33–33 by intermission. A Nitz jumper on the opening possession of the second half gave the Otters a 35–33 lead and East Bay played from behind for the rest of the night.
In addition to Nitz,
Evan Zeller (Mission Viejo HS) scored 13 points and
Devin Murphy (Sacramento/Sierra College) chipped in 11.
The win solidifies CSUMB's (8–10, 6–6 CCAA) hold on the No. 6 seed in the CCAA Tournament race. East Bay fell to 7–12 and 3–9.
The Otters will close their brief 2–game homestand and look to make it five consecutive wins at home when they host Cal State San Marcos Saturday afternoon.
GO OTTERS!
