ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Cal State Monterey Bay lost a battle of hot–shooting teams as host Central Washington took a 93–73 slugfest in the season opener for both Sides Friday night in Nicholson Pavilion.

Newcomers Maurice Woods (Modesto/Johansen HS) and Ben Carter (Adelaide, S. Australia/Montana) enjoyed strong debut performances. Woods led the Otters with 17 points and four assists while Carter chipped in 15 points and a team–high five rebounds.

Senior Jahvon Johnson (Clovis North HS) led the returners with 15 points and three assists.

The game stayed close for most of the first half before Central used a late spurt to open a 42–34 lead at the break. The Wildcats extended their advantage to 14 points early in the second half and the Otters never could make up all of the ground.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… We're returning the feature this season using the Bill James formula to determine at what point the game was statistically over. The formula determines the point at which it is statistically impossible for the trailing team to come back and win. Friday's night's game was statistically over when Xavier Smith made a jumper to give Central an 88–71 lead with 2:37 left in regulation.

OPENERS ON THE ROAD: With Friday's defeat, the Otters have a 4–10 record all–time when opening the season on the road.

BREAKING THE TOURNAMENT CURSE: Tournament play has not been kind to the Otters in recent seasons. They now have lost 12 consecutive tournament games dating back to the 2014–15 season. Their last tournament win was an 80–67 win over Holy Names at Cal Baptist on Nov. 14, 2014.

JAHVON 1K: Jahvon Johnson scored 15 points Friday night to bring his career total to 887 points. He needs 13 more to become the 11th player in school history to score 900. He needs 113 points to become the sixth player in CSUMB history to score 1,000 points.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Maurice Woods 17; REBOUNDS: Ben Carter 5; ASSISTS: Maurice Woods 4; BLOCKS: Ben Carter 2; STEALS: Jahvon Johnson 2.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude play at the CCAA/GNAC Crossover by playing Concordia–Portland Saturday in Nicholson Pavilion. Tip–off is scheduled for 4 p.m.