SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The #8 California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team fell to Azusa Pacific University by a final score of 80-79 in a rematch of last season's West Regional Final Tuesday evening at Coussoulis Arena.

With the defeat, the Coyotes move to 9-3 overall on the season.

CSUSB sprinted out to a 14-point lead at 23-9 in the first nine minutes of the game thanks to 13 early points from graduate student Giordan Williams (Carson, Calif.), but the Cougars responded with an 11-0 run in less than three minutes to cut the deficit down to three. 

The Coyotes built the lead back up to as many as eight late in the half, but Azusa Pacific cut the deficit to one at 43-42 by the halftime horn. Williams' 17 before the break led all players, while point guard Evan Oliver (San Bernardino, Calif.) posted 11 points and three assists.

After the Coyotes never trailed in the first half, the second half featured nine ties and six lead changes. With the exception of a 69-65 CSUSB advantage that lasted for 17 seconds, the score was within one possession for the balance of the second half.

The Coyotes had a chance to win the game after an APU lay-in with eight seconds to play, but turned the ball over without getting a shot off, and would not get another chance.

Williams put up a season-high 27 points to lead all players in the defeat, and was one of five players to finish in double figures for the Yotes. Seniors Andrew Henderson (Chatsworth, Calif.) and Evan Guillory (Springfield, Mo.) each posted 14 points, while Oliver had 11 and senior Camren Pierce (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) had 10.

Next up for the Yotes, they will play their final game of 2024 against #20 Cal Poly Pomona on the road on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.