By: Justin Donner

Sports Editor

The Cougars remain undefeated in regular season play with a crushing 106-42 victory over the UC Merced Bobcats for their first game of the Hope Classic.

Records were shattered and the No. 12 men’s basketball team improved to 8-0 on the season.

CSUSM and UC Merced are young programs, both being in their third season of play. The Cougars seem to be building their program at a quick pace as seen by this 64-point victory, the largest in the team’s short history.

Five of the Cougars scored in the double digits, and Tyree Murray led the team draining 18 off the bench.  Khalil Murphy grabbed 11 rebound for the Cougars, and was 3 points away from a double-double.

The Cougars will be playing the second game of the Hope Classic in El Cajon on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. against San Diego Christian. Dec. 17 starts the CSUSM Holiday Classic where the Cougars will be playing a series of games at home. Students can attend all home games for free with a valid campus ID.

Visit the CSUSM athletics website for a complete box score of the game.