Joe Mitchell Slams Pomona in Home Win

Evan FitzGerald

evan_fitzgerald@csumb.edu

Feb. 3, 2008

The ninth ranked CSU Monterey Bay Otters pulled off a stunning victory, vanquishing the second ranked team in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Cal Poly Pomona 69-52 on Feb. 1, increasing their wining streak to three games.

Joe Mitchell, a forward and Business junior hung in the air after he caught the ball off the backboard pass from Steve Monreal, a Social Behavioral Studies junior during a fast break. Upon descending back to the earth Mitchell proceeded to slam the ball down through the rim, sending the Otter Crowd into a frenzy. Fans erupted with shouts and cheers as the Otters cruised to their second home victory this season.

"We'd have open gym and mess around," said Mitchell about the creation of the alley-oop. "On the way down on the fast break I told Steve to throw it off the glass."

The dunk proved to be the highlight of the game, and one of Mitchell's five over the course of the night.

The Otters started off the game evenly matched with their opponents, scoring basket for basket until there were 6 minutes left in the first half. The Otters then put the pedal to the metal and managed to be up 10 points at the half, fuelled by the hot shooting of Dshon Cannon, a guard and Teledramatic Arts and Technology senior who had 10 points and Augie Johnston, a guard and Business junior who had 7. Smaller contributions from the rest of the team kept the Otters well ahead of their opponents, the score being 37-27 at the half.

It was in the second half that Mitchell took over, 8 of his 10 points were from dunking the basketball. Despite Cannon going out early in the second with foul trouble the Otters managed to increase their lead as time progressed. By the end of the game, the scores were nowhere near level as the Otters won.

It was a night of firsts as well, Steve Monreal played in his first home game, and the Blue Crue was in full force.

Started by Kendra Miller and Randy Rigali, both students at CSUMB had caught on like fire amongst the students.

"Blue Crue is all about getting the fans enthusiastic about athletics," said Rigali. "I think it gave the men's team a big boost."

Mitchell confirmed this after the game, "It gave us energy, it gave the crowd energy."

For more information about future Otter events visit: www.otterathletics.com.

For more information about the CSUMB Blue Crue visit:

http://www.otterathletics.com/sports/2008/1/30/bluecrue.aspx.