POMONA – Jeremy Smith euro-stepped between two defenders for the go-ahead bucket with 19 seconds remaining and CSUSB defeated Cal Poly Pomona on the road on Thursday night in overtime 72-70 to open CCAA action 1-0.
 
The game was tight throughout the entire second half with neither team leading by more than five points, and both had chances to win in regulation.  Smith led all Yotes with 19 points and added four assists.  Richard Laku scored 16 and CJ Clark had 12.  Tyrell Henderson grabbed 10 rebounds and Clark recorded his double-double with 12.
 
"Really proud of our guys effort tonight. It was great to see them respond to getting down to a really good team like Pomona and still be able to battle back and get the win," head coach Andy Newman said.  "We had tremendous defensive efforts from Tyrell Henderson and CJ Clark which really carried our team tonight."
 
The Coyotes dominated the glass, 51-37 which led to 13 second-chance points.  The CSUSB bench scored 32 points to fuel the win.
 
The Yotes will now prepare for their CCAA home opener on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, welcoming No. 4 UC San Diego, who they beat at home last year.  Live links are on CSUSBathletics.com.