BOX SCORE

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Clearly spent from Friday's grueling overtime loss and a conference schedule that sent to it literally from one end of the state to the other for four games in the span of nine days, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team battled early then faded late in an 82–67 loss Saturday night at UC San Diego.

In no area was the wear and tear more evident than on the glass. One night after grabbing the second most rebounds in school history while out–rebounding Cal State San Bernardino 56–36, the Otters managed a paltry 23 rebounds against UCSD, their lowest total in 39 games.

The game remained close throughout the first half, with a late surge giving the Tritons a 39–32 edge at intermission. CSUMB would get no closer in the second half, and UCSD hit 15–of–16 free throws down the stretch to keep the Otters at arm's length.

CSUMB got a game–high 22 points from senior guard Brandon Ward (Riverside/Woodcrest HS), CSUMB's all–time leading scorer, who moves to within four points of cracking the 1,200 point barrier for his career. It was Ward's second consecutive 20–plus point game (following Friday's 23–point effort at San Bernardino) and his third of the season.

Freshman guard Coley Apsay (Santa Clarita/Canyon HS) was the only other Otter to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points.

CSUMB returns home to close the 2013 season with games against Cal State Stanislaus (Thursday) and Chico State (Friday) in The Kelp Bed. Tipoff both nights is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.