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Coyotes Grab Part of CCAA Lead
San Bernardino -- Post players Theron Laudermill and Kwame Alexander, and wing Tre Brewer provided an inside-outside combination Saturday night as the Coyotes defeated visiting Cal State L.A. 62-60 before a crowd of 1,356 at Coussoulis Arena.
The Coyotes earned a weekend sweep and climbed into a four-way tie for the top in the CCAA at 11-5 (12-7 overall) along with Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona and Humboldt State.
Laudermill scored 17 points and Alexander had 16 as the two also combined to hit all 10 of their free-throw attempts. Brewer remained his consistent self with another double-figure night, this time with 15 as he stretched his consecutive double-marker game streak to 13 straight.
CSUSB, which led 32-25 at the break, never trailed in the second half, but it would not be an easy final 20 minutes. Eight times the Golden Eagles (13-7, 9-7) cut the lead to two and got to within a point of the lead twice in the final 1:19.
Laudermill’s only 3-pointer of the night put CSUSB up 46-37 with 11:56 left, matching its largest lead of the night.
CSULA’s Ryan Wetherell was a big-time thorn in the side of coach Jeff Oliver’s team as the guard hit 16 of his game-high 20 in the final half.
After a pair of Wetherell free throws drew the Golden Eagles to within two (50-48) with 4:53 remaining, Laudermill and Alexander each went to the line and successfully converted two shots to put CSUSB up 54-48 with 4:04 left.
Wetherell and Brewer each hit four points before Chris Robinson’s free throw triggered a mini 5-0 run for CSULA and Wetherell drew the Golden Eagles to within a point (58-57) with two free throws with 1:19 left.
But free throw shooting became a huge factor for the Coyotes, as Alexander and Laudermill each hit two tosses in the final 42 seconds.
After Laudermill’s pair gave the Coyotes a 62-59 lead with 14 seconds, the Coyotes fouled Leland Jones with five seconds. He hit the first, purposely missed the second and time ran out.
Laudermill was 5-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the line, while Alexander was 6-of-10 and 4-of-4.
Seven different Coyotes had assists, but turnovers were a factor as they committed 23.
The Coyotes return to Coussoulis Arena on Friday night when they take on Cal State Stanislaus.
