ARCATA, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team came up just short in a tightly contested CCAA road battle, falling 80–78 to Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday afternoon at Lumberjack Arena.
With the result, the Coyotes move to 9-10 overall and 6-6 in conference play.
CSUSB battled through a high-scoring first half, trailing 42–37 at the break despite strong production from freshman Zion Paleo (Diamond Bar, Calif.). Paleo poured in 11 first-half points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor, keeping the Coyotes within striking distance. Redshirt senior Gavin Davis (Carson, Calif.) added nine points in the opening 20 minutes.
The Coyotes opened the second half with energy on both ends of the floor, using an 11–3 run to seize a 48–43 lead just under four minutes in. Davis fueled the surge with eight points during the stretch, including back-to-back baskets in transition, while redshirt junior Malachi Murrell (La Quinta, Calif.) contributed with defense and rebounding inside.
CSUSB extended its lead to as many as 10 points midway through the half, highlighted by a jumper from Paleo and a fast-break layup by Murrell. Paleo finished with 18 points, knocking down three 3-pointers while adding three rebounds and two assists.
Cal Poly Humboldt responded with timely shooting down the stretch, setting up a back-and-forth final two minutes. With the score tied at 73, Paleo buried a clutch three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining to give CSUSB a brief lead. Murrell followed moments later with a second-chance basket to push the Coyotes back in front, 78–76, with 1:10 to play.
The Lumberjacks answered with a pair of baskets in the final minute, including the game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining.
Davis finished with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting and a 7-of-9 performance from the free-throw line, adding five rebounds and four steals. Murrell chipped in eight points and eight rebounds, while junior Elijah Edwards (Hemet, Calif.) provided a spark off the bench with seven points, including a key three-pointer in the second half. Sophomore Aidan Fowler (San Clemente, Calif.) added eight points, three assists, and a steal in 36 minutes of action.
CSUSB outscored Humboldt 41–38 in the second half and held a 15–5 edge in second-chance points, but the Lumberjacks shot 50 percent from three-point range for the game.
The Coyotes will return home next week to begin a CCAA homestand, hosting San Francisco State on Thursday evening at Coussoulis Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
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