CSUSM men’s basketball saw their first action on the court in an exhibition game against SDSU.

The Cougars lost to the perennial Mountain West powerhouse 48-86 on Nov. 2 at Viejas Arena.

“This is a time for them to get better and for us to get better,” Cougar Head Coach Jim Saia said. “I’m happy with our guy’s effort.”

The first period opened with two CSUSM scoring plays–Darnell Taylor’s free throw and Ben Dickenson’s layup.

After a quick start by the Cougars, the Aztecs took charge, capitalizing off of poor communication. Soon SDSU senior Winston Shepard sunk a free throw, bringing the score to 3-5.

The set up for the free throw and a timeout allowed for a needed moment between guard Darnell Taylor and forward Taran Brown, who are both seniors.

In a 20 second exchange before Shepherd’s free throw, Brown and Taylor talked about how they both needed to collaborate. “[I] told him to get the guys together…and get something going,” Brown said.

This quick parlay worked. The Cougars sunk two consecutive three pointers, one by returning senior guard Akachi Okugo and another by senior forward Ben Dickinson, a transfer from UNC Greensboro.

But once again the Cougars could not hold onto the momentum, missing key scoring opportunities.

During a pass attempt, SDSU guard Dakari Allen lost the ball, flipping it behind his own head. CSUSM

forward, Taran Brown scooped it up and rushed to the other side of the court, but the team could not capitalize.

The Cougars overall inability to finish plays would plague them the entire game.

“We didn’t make any shots. Any time we got a break away we didn’t finish…you’ve got to make those shots against San Diego State,” Saia said.

A missed shot by Aztec guard Jeremy Hemsley closed out the first period and the Cougars retreated to the locker room trailing 26-44.

After the break, the Cougars switched defensive schemes.

“[SDSU Head Coach Steve Fischer and I] made an agreement [that] we play zone first half and man second half…I think we could be a good man team,” Saia said, but “we tend to do both.”

Despite playing stronger defense in the second half, CSUSM struggled offensively making only 10 of 39 attempts.

The Cougars were beat in the second half by a speedier Aztec team, which made 12 fast breaks to the Cougars’ 2.

They “beat us on transitions,” Okugo said. “Just little things added up.”

Despite a loss in their first team effort, the Cougars remain positive. “It’s an exhibition game so we live and learn from it,” Brown said. “Overall, I think we had a good performance…we played with a lot of heart.”

Now the Cougars turn their attention toward an exhibition game versus the Master’s College on Nov. 7.

The Cougars will get their first taste of CCAA action on Dec. 3 when they tip off against Humboldt State at home.

“We can really surprise a lot of people…we’re in a new conference now and everyone’s really juiced up and excited” Brown said.