SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (5-4, 2-2 CCAA) rallied from a 16-point deficit to earn an 83-76 victory over Chico State (4-5, 2-2 CCAA) on Sunday afternoon at The Sports Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Nate Simon – 19 points | 3 rebounds | 1 steal | 6-of-6 FT
Keavie Love – 17 points | 4 rebounds | 2 assists
Dexter Stratton – 15 points | 9 rebounds | 1 assist
Max Tengan – 10 points | 3 rebounds | 2 assists | 1 steal
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Chico State jumped out to an early 11-3 lead and extended its advantage to 15 points at 42-27 late in the first half.
- CSUSM trailed 42-29 at halftime after shooting 38.5% (10-of-26) from the field compared to Chico State's 53.1% (17-of-32).
- The Wildcats took their largest lead of the game at 16 points on a Jeremiah Dargan jumper with 14:15 to play to make it 55-39.
- CSUSM came roaring back, taking the lead for the first time at 73-72 following a Stratton jumper with 2:56 to play, outscoring Chico 33-17 since its largest deficit.
- Tied 74-all with 1:58 remaining, CSUSM closed the game with a 9-2 run to pick up the comeback win at 83-76.
- Simon scored all 19 of his points in the final 12:11 of the contest.
- The Cougars went 18-of-19 (94.7%) from the charity stripe in the second half while the Wildcats were just 6-of-9 (66.7%)
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM shot 47.4% (27-of-57) from the field while Chico State finished at 48.4% (30-of-62).
- The Cougars dominated at the free-throw line, going 23-of-26 (88.5%) compared to Chico State's 7-of-10 (70.0%). CSUSM's 23 made free throws tied its season high.
- CSUSM held a 38-28 advantage on the boards and scored 38 points in the paint to Chico State's 34.
- The Cougars' bench contributed 34 points, led by Simon's 19, while Chico State's bench added 22.
- CSUSM committed 10 turnovers to Chico State's 11 and converted them into 12 points.
- The Cougars had the lead for just 2:52 while the Wildcats had it for 36:33.
- CSUSM snapped a streak of three consecutive Chico wins in the series, earning its first victory since Dec. 9, 2023.
UP NEXT
With its final game of 2025 out of the way, CSUSM will open 2026 at UC Merced on Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Latest Top News
- CSUSM Falls to Chico Despite Fourth-Quarter Surge, 79-66The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (4-5, 1-3 CCAA) dropped a 79-66 decision to Chico State (8-3, 4-0 CCAA) on Sunday afternoon at The Sports Center.
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- CSUSM Falls 76-65 to HumboldtThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (4-4, 1-2 CCAA) dropped a 76-65 decision to Cal Poly Humboldt (5-4, 3-0 CCAA).on Friday evening at The Sports Center.
- Four Cougars Earn CSC Academic All-District HonorsAnnika Blas-Cedeno, Shelby Jackson, Addison Kranz and Nelia Trower of the Cal State San Marcos volleyball team were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team on Tuesday.
- Cougars Drop 68-50 Decision to No. 20 Central WashingtonThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (4-3) fell 68-50 in non-conference action to No. 20 Central Washington (8-1) on Tuesday afternoon at The Sports Center.
- Parking Advisory for Upcoming CSUSM Basketball GamesFans attending upcoming Cal State Marcos men's and women's basketball games at The Sports Center should note a maintenance closure of Parking Structure 1 (PS1) taking place Dec. 15, 2025, through Jan. 15, 2026.
