IRVINE, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (0-2) ended its opening weekend of play with a 76-59 loss at Concordia University Irvine (2-0) on Saturday night at CU Arena.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Austin Nassar – 18 points | 6-of-7 FG | 3 rebounds
Dexter Stratton – 8 points | 6 rebounds | 2 assists
Uriah Foster – 8 points | 2 rebounds | 1 steal
Donovan Watkins – 7 points | 3 assists | 1 steal
Will Harris – 7 points | 2 rebounds | 1 assist
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars took an early 12-4 lead with a Will Harris layup at the 14:41 mark of the first half.
• The Golden Eagles used a 12-3 run to take their first lead of the contest at 16-15 on a 3-pointer by Joseph Locandro with 10:19 left in the period.
• CUI made it a double-digit lead at 28-17 following a jumper from Connor Gleason with 3:08 to go in the half.
• At halftime, CSUSM trailed 36-26 after shooting 30% (9-of-30) while CUI came in at 48% (12-of-25). Dexter Stratton led all Cougars with eight points.
• The Cougars were unable to bring the deficit down any further in the second half as the Golden Eagles eventually took a 27-point lead at 72-45 on a 3-pointer by Kevin Haupt with 4:13 to go.
• CSUSM shot 37.5% (9-of-24) in the second half while CUI clocked in at 48.4% (15-of-31).

 
FAST BREAKS

• The Cougars ended the game shooting 33.3% (18-of-54) while the Golden Eagles finished at 48.2% (27-of-56).
• Austin Nassar led CSUSM with 18 points off the bench in just 12 minutes of play.
• CUI led in rebounds (41-28), assists (16-6) and blocked shots (2-1) while CSUSM tallied more steals (10-9) and committed fewer turnovers (13-16).
• CSUSM tallied 17 points off turnovers to CUI's eight.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM will return to action on Friday as it faces Western Washington at 5:15 p.m. on the campus of Azusa Pacific.