Box Score: (click here)
SAN BERNARDINO -- Sophomore guard
Juan Martinez, who didn't see a single minute of play last season, gave the Coyotes the spurt they needed Friday night in a 70-66 season-opener win over Westmont.
Martinez scored all 14 points of points in a four-minute span late in the second half as CSUSB fought back from a dreadful 28-18 halftime deficit to defeat the Warriors (2-1).
Senior forward
Theron Laudermill led the Coyotes with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and senior Tre Brewer added 12 as CSUSB shot 52 percent from the floor on 13 of 25 shooting in the second half to earn the victory. Junior center
Kwame Alexander also scored in double figures with 11.
This certainly was a tale of two halves, as the Coyotes struggled in the opening 20 minutes. They hit just five field goals and were 0-of-9 from the 3-point stripe as the Warriors controlled the half.
Westmont built a lead as large as 13 when Preston Branson hit a three-point play just 16 seconds into the half and the Warriors led 31-18.
CSUSB responded with a 13-2 run in the next six minutes and pulled to within two points on a three-point play by
Hakeem Washington that put the score 33-31 Westmont with 13:44 remaining.
Westmont retained the lead, although CSUSB cut the lead to two five more times until Martinez came to the rescue.
Trailing 51-45 with 7:04 left, Martinez hit a three from the left wing, then added two free throws and CSUSB cut the lead to one, 51-50 with 6:20 left.
After a turnover and a missed three by Westmont's Jordan Sachs, Martinez came down the court and hit another three and CSUSB had its first lead since the first half, 53-51 at the 5:14 mark.
Wesmont answered Martinez with a basket by Branson and two free throws from Christopher Miller for its last lead of the night, 55-53 with 4:27 left.
After Alexander hit the second of a two-shot foul, and Westmont turned the bal over, Martinez gave CSUSB a final shot in the arm when he was fouled on a 3-point effort. The shot was no good, but he drained all three free throws and CSUSB led 57-55 with 3:35 left.
He then capped his night with a final three and CSUSB extended its lead to 64-55 on a two free throws from Alexander.
Westmont, though, was not out of the game as it scored five quick points in 14 seconds and trailed 64-60 with 1:02 left.
But the Coyotes hung on in the final minute for the win.
Branson scored a game-high 23 for Westmont.
The Coyotes are off until Nov. 22 when they open CCAA play at UC San Diego.