PORTLAND, Ore. — Cal State Monterey Bay got one clutch 3–pointer Friday night to force overtime, but it couldn't get a second to force a second as host Concordia–Portland held on for an 88–85 win in the season–opener for both teams at LCEF Court.
Otter freshman
Koen Sapwell (Adelaide, South Australia) knocked down his second three of the game with 11 seconds remaining to cap a regulation–ending 8–0 run and force overtime at 76–76. A
Jonquis Bouyea (Seaside HS) 3–pointer early in overtime gave the Otters a 5–point lead at 83–78 before Concordia scrapped its way back to forge an 85–85 tie.
Free throws by three different Cavaliers—the last with six seconds remaining—gave Concordia an 88–85 lead. The Otters had one final chance to tie but couldn't get a final 3–point attempt to fall on the game's final shot.
Senior
Mateo Jones (Victorville/Silverado HS) scored a career–high 24 points to lead five Otters in double figures. He added game and career–highs 11 rebounds and five steals.
THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… A 3–point attempt by
Stephen Matthews couldn't find the mark with one second remaining in overtime.
WELCOME BACK, DOUBLE–DOUBLE STYLE… After wearing a medical redshirt in 2016–17,
Mateo Jones returned to the Otter lineup with the first double–double of his collegiate career. His 24 points surpassed his previous career–high of 15 set versus Saint Martin's in 2015 while his 11 rebounds bettered his previous best of eight at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2016.
LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT… For good measure,
Mateo Jones matched his career high with a game–high five steals Friday night against Concordia. He first collected five steals against Stanislaus State in 2015.
LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS:
Mateo Jones 24; REBOUNDS:
Mateo Jones 11; ASSISTS:
Jonquis Bouyea 4; BLOCKS: None; STEALS:
Mateo Jones 5.
THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude play at the CCAA/GNAC Crossover by facing Central Washington University Saturday at 3 p.m. Central fell to Cal State San Bernardino 81–62 in the opening game of the tournament Friday evening.
GO OTTERS!
