Box Score: Coyote 85, CSU Monterey Bay 50

SAN BERNARDINO -- Sophomore Kwame Alexander showed big-time skills Wednesday night as Cal State San Bernardino dominated in an 85-50 victory over visiting Cal State Monterey Bay in California Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball at Coussoulis Arena.

Alexander, who was playing in just his third game of the season, finished with a season-high 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting and was 7 of 9 from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

The opening second half was all about Alexander, who hit his first six shots inside the first eight minutes. The Coyotes led 45-27 at halftime, and the Moreno Valley native hit two 3-point plays and added an inside shot and a thunderous dunk and put the Coyotes up 57-29 with 17:22 left.

Senior Robbie Robinson gave the Coyotes a 30-point lead on a jumper at the 14:54 mark.

Leading 62-35, Alexander converted on his third 3-point play, then missed his only shot of the game when his attempted dunk was off the mark.

Robinson had a big night, too, for the Coyotes with 12 points and eight rebounds as CSUSB shot 46.3 percent from the floor (31-of-67) and forced the Otters into 22 turnovers on only 26.8 percent shooting (15-56).

Coach Jeff Oliver received a solid effort from an assortment of Coyotes. Senior guard Corey Caston, who did not start, dealt seven assists and junior Nate Roth dished out five with six points and four rebounds.

The Coyotes return to Coussoulis Arena at 5 p.m. Thursday when they face San Francisco State and first-year head coach Paul Trevor. The Gators' head man spent the previous eight seasons as Oliver's top assistant.

The Gators earned a 64-60 win at defending NCAA champion Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday.

GAME NOTES: The Coyotes are now 81-3 all-time under Oliver when they alllow less than 60 points... The Coyotes are now 104-12 under Oliver when a game is decided by 10 points or more and are now 97-12 at home during the Oliver era... The Coyotes are 8-0 all-time at home against the Otters... The victory was the Coyotes' second straight of substantial point differential against the Otters. Last season, CSUSB won at Coussoulis by a score of 95-55... Senior Ryan Kinney needs 10 more 3-pointers to earn a spot in the career all-time 3-point shooters. He now has 65... CSUMB shot 26.8 percent from the floor, the second time in the last three games the Coyotes have held an opponent to less than 30 percent from the floor. Western Washington shot just 28.1 percent on Dec. 16.