ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Despite holding the lead for the first 39 minutes, 54 and 6/10ths seconds, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team couldn't come out with a victory as Sonoma State rallied late for a 65–62 win Friday night in The Wolves Den.

The Otters led by as many as 17 points in the and by 15 points, 41–26, at the half. But they became Cavalier with the ball to open the second half, turning it over seven times in the first 11 minutes to allow Sonoma to chip away at the lead.

CSUMB jealously guarded its slowly evaporating lead until the waning moments, when a pair of Mason Phillips free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining gave the Seawolves their first lead of the game at 63–62.
The Otters turned the ball over with one second remaining and Sonoma hit two more free throws to account for the final score.

Koen Sapwell (Adelaide, South Australia/Trinity College Gawler) led a top–heavy Otter balance sheet with 16 points. Jahvon Johnson (Clovis North HS) and Brian Garrett (San Carlos/St. Francis HS) added 13 and 12 points respectively.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… The Otters turned the ball over with one second remaining trailing 63–62.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES… The Otter offense sizzled in the first half, shooting 61 percent (17-of-28) from the floor and 70 percent (7-of-10) from beyond the arc. Contrast that to the second half, where CSUMB was 7-of-23 from the field (30.4 pct.) and 1-of-9 from 3–point range.

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR… Friday's loss at Sonoma State marked the fifth time this season the Otters have fallen on the game's final possession.

OK, CLOSE BUT THREE CIGARS… The Otters have won twice in games that came down to the final possession this season. Three times, if you include an 87–81 overtime win versus Humboldt State.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Koen Sapwell 16; REBOUNDS: Gregg Polosky 7; ASSISTS: Jahvon Johnson 5; BLOCKS: Gregg Polosky 3; STEALS: Mateo Jones/Josh Kollman/Stephen Matthews 1.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their short tour of the San Francisco Bay area by playing at San Francisco State Saturday. The women will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and the men will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.