Box Score

ROHNERT PARK — David Jefferson picked a good time to come up with one of the biggest blocks of the season. The junior's block didn't just help Cal State San Bernardino to a 76-71 win over Sonoma State. It helped the Coyotes retake sole possession of first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with the win by Cal Poly Pomona over Humboldt State.

Jefferson scored 11 points for the Coyotes (16-5, 14-3 CCAA) on 5-for-9 shooting from the floor and posted a game-high eight rebounds. He along with Corey Caston, who finished with 12 points, hit free throws down the stretch after the block to secure the win. Caston scored eight of his points off of free throws, hitting 8-of-10 from the line.

Bryan LeDuc and Aaron Hill each scored 15 points as LeDuc went 5-for-7 from the field and Hill went 5-for-8 and had a season high four 3-pointers, hitting 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. It was Hill's highest point total since he scored 18 at San Francisco State, Jan. 23.

Will Olsem scored a game-high 22 points for the Seawolves, scoring 18 of those from outside on 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point range.

The Coyotes looked to be running away with the game after going on a 13-4 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 50-39 with 16:29 left to play, but the Seawolves used an 18-5 run, capped by a Chad Chambers 3-pointer, to take a 57-55 lead with 6:41 reamaining. Neither team led by more than three until the final seconds.

It wasn't until after six ties and four lead changes that the Coyotes took control with 52 seconds left. CSUSB trailed 71-70 when LeDuc grabbed an offensive board and went right back up and was fouled by Steven Pratt. LeDuc made both giving the Coyotes a 72-71 lead. Chambers then slashed toward the goal, but Jefferson was able to get a hand on the ball and also grabbed the rebound. Jefferson was able to get the ball to Caston before he was fouled and hit both free throws to give CSUSB a 74-71 lead with 15 seconds left.

The Coyotes then corralled a missed three by the Seawolves and Caston sank a free throw, which was given because of a technical foul called on Sonoma State's head coach, and Jefferson added another from the charity stripe to put the game away.

Now it sets up a battle for first place for the Coyotes with Humboldt State. A win gives Cal State San Bernardino a two-game lead over both Cal Poly Pomona and HSU with four games left in CCAA play. The two tip off at 7:30 p.m. and the game can be hear live on KCAA 1050 AM or on csusbathletics.com.