SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team used a dominant first-half surge and efficient shooting throughout to defeat UC Merced, 81–65, Thursday evening at Coussoulis Arena.
With the win, the Coyotes improve to 11–13 overall and 8–9 in CCAA play, while the Bobcats fall to 9–12 overall and 7–10 in the CCAA.
CSUSB found its rhythm midway through the opening half after trailing early. Sophomore Aidan Fowler (San Clemente, Calif.) sparked the turnaround with back-to-back finishes in transition, and freshman Zion Paleo (Diamond Bar, Calf.) knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two. Moments later, Fowler converted another steal into a fast-break layup to give the Coyotes the lead for good.
The momentum continued as redshirt junior Malachi Murrell (La Quinta, Calif.) and redshirt senior Gavin Davis (Carson, Calif.) added key baskets, and redshirt senior Amound Anderson II (Gardena, Calif.) connected from beyond the arc during a decisive stretch. Sophomore Max Zylicz (Gdansk, Poland) drilled a three-pointer in the closing minute of the half, and Paleo added a late floater to send CSUSB into the locker room with a 40–29 advantage.
The Coyotes carried that energy into the second half. Davis opened the period with a fast-break layup, and Fowler buried a three to extend the lead to double digits. Paleo continued to attack the paint, scoring multiple baskets during a stretch that pushed the lead to 20 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
CSUSB maintained control down the stretch behind balanced scoring and efficient ball movement. Freshman Xavier Clinton (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) knocked down a key three-pointer, sophomore Pablo Soumare (Dakar, Senegal) added a dunk in transition, and Fowler converted at the free-throw line late to seal the 16-point victory.
Fowler led the Coyotes with 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Paleo added 15 points, while Davis contributed 10 points and four boards. Anderson and Clinton finished with 11 and 10 points respectively, helping CSUSB shoot 50.8 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range.
The Coyotes will be back in action on Saturday when they welcome Stanislaus State to Coussoulis Arena. Tip is slated for 3 p.m.
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