Senior Night Glory for Otters

Evan FitzGerald, Staff Reporter

evan_fitzgerald@csumb.edu

March 6, 2008

The crowd got into the game early and CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Otters beat UC San Diego (UCSD) Tritons 84-66 in a blowout victory at the Kelp Bed on Feb 28.

Due to several losses by other California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opponents on the same night, the Otters were able to wrap up the home court advantage.  The first CCAA playoff game in CSUMB history will be played on Mar 3. in the Kelp Bed where they will play CSU Dominguez Hills.

This year CSUMB has three seniors that were honored during senior night: DShon Cannon, a guard and Teledramatic Arts and Technology arts major, Stephen Becker, a guard and Human Communications Major and Juston Willis, a guard and Business major.

Between the charismatic shouting of Coach Pat Kosta and one of the largest crowds in Kelp Bed history (nearly 700 fans), the Otters came out of the gates with enthusiasm. Down six points early, Willis decided to put on a show for the home fans as he was fouled in the act of shooting a three which he made and converted the free throw to complete a four-point play. From there the Otters were able to run away with one of the largest leads this year, going into the half at 42-29.

In the second half the Otters were able to keep a 10 point lead for much of the game, though they were able to advance their lead to 18 points by the end and finished the game winning 84-66.

After the game the fans went crazy, and many of the players went and got wild with the fans before returning to the locker room.

"Lead by example, be intense," said Cannon, who had 17 points and seven rebounds for the night. "The home crowd makes us play harder, we have to impress them."

The intensity of DShon Cannon has been on display all season long as he came in fifth overall in the conference for scoring with an average of 16 points per game, eleventh in field goal percentage with .502, forth in assists per game with 4.31, eight in free throw percentage with .773 and eleventh in steals with 1.13 per game.

Despite the performance by Cannon all season long, it was the Juston Willis show on senior night. Willis shot 10-15 from the floor and 2-4 from the free throw line to combine for 24 points, three assists and four rebounds on the night.

"The way we played tonight wasn't a miracle, it was magical but we can always play like that," said Willis. "We love playing at home, it helps bring out our best games."

For more information about men's basketball visit: www.otterathletics.com