SEASIDE, Calif. — Big games from Aubri Smith (Buena HS/Ventura College) and Courtney Keaton (Bishop Montgomery HS) helped Cal State Monterey Bay catch fire to beat visiting Stanislaus State 67–56 Thursday night in The Kelp Bed.

Smith scored a game–high 26 points, her sixth 20–point game of the season. Keaton, meanwhile, scored a career–high 17 points and added 14 rebounds for her fifth double–double of 2017–18.

CSUMB got off to a glacial start from the field, shooting just 25 percent in the first half including an 0-for-12 half from beyond the arc. But cold shooting didn't stop the Otters from playing hard on both ends of the court. They were rewarded for those efforts.

The Otter defense forced 16 first half turnovers by Stanislaus. On the offense end, CSUMB's aggressiveness led it to the free–throw line 21 times in the first 20 minutes. They made 17 of those to stay within 33–31 at the half.

CSUMB opened the second half on a 13–2 run to take a 46–35 lead. Stanislaus pulled to with four points at 58–54 but would get no closer.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… Aubri Smith made the first of two free throws to give the Otters a 66–56 lead with 47 seconds left.

TAKE THEM, THEY'RE FREE… The Otters made 32 free throws Thursday night, the third most free throws for a game in program history. The Otter record is 37 against the University of Mary on Nov. 15, 2008. In case you're wondering, CSUMB's 37 free–throw attempts Thursday night didn't crack the all–time Top 10.

DOUBLE–DOUBLE TROUBLE… Courtney Keaton posted her fifth double–double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds Thursday night. Those five are a career high for Keaton and the most by an Otter since Brittani Jefferson had eight over the 2012–13 season.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Aubri Smith 26; REBOUNDS: Courtney Keaton 14; ASSISTS: Aubri Smith/Brianna Tucker 2; BLOCKS: Courtney Keaton/Alexa Sperling 2; STEALS: Alexa Sperling 3.

THE LAST WORD… "I'm proud of the team today. We executed our game plan and were efficient making adjustments. I'm happy how we shared the ball and will continue to work to get better.." – CSUMB Head Coach Kerri Nakamoto

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters continue their 3–game homestand by hosting nationally–ranked UC San Diego Thursday (Jan. 11) as part of a CCAA doubleheader. The women will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and the men will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.