AZUSA, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (2-2) picked up a convincing 78-63 non-conference victory over Azusa Pacific (1-2) to wrap up a three-game road trip on Wednesday afternoon at the Felix Event Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Dexter Stratton – 15 points | 3 rebounds
Max Tengan – 14 points | 2 rebounds | 5 assists
Aaron Ragen – 12 points | 1 rebound | 1 assist
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM opened the game on a 7-2 run, sparked by a Remington Rofer three-pointer and a layup from Dexter Stratton.
- CSUSM built its largest first-half lead at 28-19 following a three by Max Tengan and a layup by Stratton with 7:59 left in the period.
- Azusa Pacific responded with an 11-0 run to take a 30-28 advantage with 5:48 remaining in the half.
- A Chris Carrillo pull-jumper put CSUSM back in front with 1:02 to go in the half.
- CSUSM took a 31-30 lead into the halftime break after shooting 48.1% (13-of-27) from the field while holding APU to 37.9% (11-of-29).
- CSUSM opened the second half with a 6-1 burst, highlighted by an Aaron Ragen three-pointer and free throws from Tengan to extend the lead to 37-31.
- Stratton and Tengan continued the momentum with a layup and a transition three to push the margin to 42-33 at the 16:51 mark.
- CSUSM's biggest run came midway through the second half, using a 16-3 stretch—capped by three from Ragen and a jumper from Stratton—to take a 66-44 lead with 7:59 remaining.
- CSUSM took its largest lead of the game at 23 points on a Stratton three to make it 76-53 with 3:51 to go.
- Azusa Pacific made a small push late, but CSUSM maintained control throughout the final minutes to secure the victory.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM shot 52.7% (29-of-55) from the field while holding APU to 39.3% (22-of-56).
- CSUSM knocked down 47.8% (11-of-23) from three, while Azusa Pacific finished 7-of-29 (24.1%).
- APU earned a slight rebounding edge at 31-30.
- CSUSM committed 12 turnovers while forcing 13.
- CSUSM held a 27-17 advantage in bench scoring.
- CSUSM held the lead for 32:50 while APU had it for 5:16.
- This was CSUSM's first win over APU in Azusa since Nov. 19, 2016.
- CSUSM set season highs for points (78), assists (18) and made threes (11).
UP NEXT
CSUSM returns home to The Sports Center for its final non-conference game against Nobel University on Saturday at 3 p.m.
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