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SAN BERNARDINO (Nov. 20, 2015) -- Host Cal State San Bernardino held off a late charge by Winona State on Friday night in its 74-70 nonconference men's basketball victory at Coussoulis Arena.
 
The Coyotes held a 12-point lead at 64-52 with 8:57 remaining in the game but almost let it slip away as the Warriors (1-2) fought back to cut the lead to two points at 72-70 with 33 seconds left on a jumper by Kyle Bauman.
 
However, Coyotes senior Juan Martinez and Desi Barmore made crucial free throws, the last with five seconds left, to seal the win for CSUSB (2-1).
 
It was almost 16 years to the date since the last and only other time the teams met that also ended in a 75-54 Coyotes win at home on Nov. 25, 2000.
 
Martinez led the Coyotes with 16 points, making four 3-pointers to go with four assists and three steals.  Fellow guard Zeke DeBlase had 15 points, hitting all three 3-pointer attempts to go with three assists, four rebounds and two steals.
 
Senior forward-center Aaron Cheatum had 14 points and five rebounds as well as two blocked shots.
 
Riley Bambenek led the Warriors with 23 points, sinking five 3-pointers. 
 
CSUSB shot 42 percent from the field after starting the game hitting only two of its first 12 shots and fell behind 10-1 to the Warriors. The Coyotes got going on defense, stepping up with aggressive play that forced 18 Winona State turnovers and rallied for a 41-38 halftime lead.
 
The Coyotes shot 39 percent from three-point range (9 of 23) while the Warriors were just 7 of 21 (33 percent). CSUSB comverted 19 of 25 free throws (76 percent). Winona State made nine of 13 tries from the charity stripe.
 
CSUSB opens California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Dec. 1 at home against Cal State East Bay.
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