TURLOCK, Calif. – The CSUSB men's basketball team got revenge on Cal State San Marcos on Saturday night, winning the 2022-23 CCAA Tournament championship game to earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. This is the third time the Yotes have won the tournament in program history, and the first time since 2010.
 
With their 27^th win of the season, the 2022-23 Yotes take sole possession for the second most wins in program history. With one more win in the NCAA Regionals, they will tie the 2001-02 team for the program record at 28.  
 
Brandon Knapper scored 26 points in the championship game, earning him the CCAA Tournament MVP. On Saturday night, Knapper was 3-for-7 beyond the arc and 15-for-20 from the stripe while also recording 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Knapper's 98 three-pointers on the year moves him to second-most on the CSUSB single-season list. He also sits just six shy of tying the all-time CSUSB record (188) with 182 in his career.
 
The 'Dino Boys did what they've done all season – outshoot and outrebound their opponents. Eddie Davis, Dontrell Shuler, Darius Mickens, and Kaijae Yee-Stephens all put up double-digit points against the Cougars. In addition, the #1 rebounding team in the nation (CSUSB) recorded 40 rebounds to CSUSM's 34. The team shot 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three, leading the Cougars in both areas. Davis was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
This is the third time the Yotes have won the CCAA Tournament (2009, 2010, 2023). All three times, CSUSB was also named the regular season champion. With the 'Dino Boys already proving themselves by breaking the program scoring record, leading the nation in rebounding, winning the CCAA regular season title, and CCAA conference tournament, AND winning their last 12 straight games; there's nothing holding them back from making a legitimate run at the 2022-23 national title.
 
 
Selection Show
The No. 8 Yotes have put themselves in an incredible position heading into the NCAA Tournament, putting together a 27-3 resume while being nationally ranked in the Top 25 for the entirety of the 2022-23 season. They are guaranteed to be at least the number two seed in the region, with the possibility of being ranked number one. We will find out during the NCAA selection show tomorrow night at 8:00 PM where the NCAA committee decides to put CSUSB. You can find more information about the selection show HERE.
 
Should the NCAA give the hosting bid to CSUSB, the regionals will be held in Coussoulis Arena from March 10^th to March 13^th. Otherwise, the tournament will likely take place at Golden Gymnasium on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene on those same dates. Stay tuned…
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