SAN BERNARDINO -- Coach
Jeff Oliver won't soon forget Saturday's 83-71 Coyotes victory over visiting Cal State East Bay at Coussoulis Arena.
The 12-point victory puts the Coyotes into first place alone in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, but he also became a member of the 200-victory club as CSUSB pulled away from a determined Pioneers team.
Three Coyotes played big-time roles as senior Tre Brewer led the way with 22 points. Fellow senior
Theron Laudermill was huge as he earned a double-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and a perfect 12-of-12 effort from the free throw line. And junior
Kwame Alexander was 8 of 9 from the field and also earned a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The victory pushes the Coyotes to 9-4 overall and 8-2 in the CCAA and they own a 1 1/2-game lead over Cal Poly Pomona in the league race.
Oliver is now 200-75 in his 10th season at the helm.
The Coyotes led 37-36 at halftime, despite hitting just 3 of 18 from the 3-point stripe.
The key for the Coyotes was their shooting in the second half. They fired 55.6 percent on 15 of 27 shots and took control with eight minutes left in the game and leading 63-62.
Back-to-back buckets from Alexander started a 12-4 run that ended on a Brewer 3-pointer and the Coyotes led 75-66 with 2:47 left.
After Mark Samuels answered with a jumper, Laudermill and junior
Hakeem Washington each hit two free throws and the Coyotes eventually led by 12, 83-71, on Brewers free throws with 38 seconds remaining.
Junior
Johnny Bell was the only other Coyote in double figures with 10. Washington set a season-best individual effort with 10 assists and the team also set a season-high with 22.
The Pioneers were led by Jason Smith's 23 points -- the most scored against the Coyotes. He hit four 3s in the opening half, before missing on his next four efforts to begin the second half. He finished with seven 3's.
The Coyotes take their top-CCAA mark into next week's home games, beginning with preseason conference favorite Humboldt State on Friday.
