Otters Conquer Warriors in Basketball 

Evan FitzGerald, Staff Reporter

evan_fitzgerald@csumb.edu

Feb.11, 2008

The CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Otters beat the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) CSU Stanislaus Warriors 90-83 in the Kelp Bed on Feb. 8.

"They're tough," said assistant coach Alex Hudson before the game. His faith in his team was well founded as the Otters took revenge for a loss on Jan. 5 against the Warriors. 

Despite several key figures in the Otter line up being sick with colds, the men's basketball team was able to continue their winning streak to five games in a row. The Otters are now 6-7 in the CCAA, and are currently tied in the seventh spot with CSU Los Angeles. The top eight teams in the conference go to the playoffs, and this latest win gives the Otters a solid chance to be contenders for the title.

Jacob Kernodle, a center and Business junior won the tip for the Otters to start the game, though the Otters found themselves down early in the first half. An effective press led the Otters back into the game, putting the Warriors into foul trouble early. It was the play of Steve Monreal, a guard and Social and Behavioral Science junior that helped the Otters regain the lead through an impressive showing of his free throw ability.

"In the beginning we had a tough start," said Monreal. "Then we pulled it together and started executing our plays."

The lead traveled back and forth to both teams, who had large cheering sections in attendance to bolster their confidence. With the help of the CSUMB Blue Crue, the Otters went into halftime tied with the Warriors 42-42.

Thanks to the hot shooting in the second half by Jose Sanchez, a guard and Human Communication junior, the Otters took an early lead. The Otters at one point during the half were up nine, though due to a Warriors push the lead was brought down to less then five. It was a running three point shot by Monreal that put the Otters ahead for good, as the Warriors kept fouling and the Otters were able to convert their free throws at the end, giving the Otters the victory by seven.

For more information about Men's Basketball visit, www.otterathletics.com