SEASIDE, Calif. — No. 15 UC San Diego had just enough in the tank to avoid an upset bid from short–handed Cal State Monterey Bay, holding on for a 54–50 win Thursday night in The Kelp Bed.

The Otters had the ball down just 53–50 with under 30 seconds remaining, but couldn't get the game–tying 3–point attempt to fall. UCSD added a free throw with 17 seconds to play to account for the final margin.

Junior guard Jonquis Bouyea (Seaside HS) led the Otters with career highs of 15 points and five rebounds. Freshman guard Jahvon Johnson (Clovis North HS) added 12 points while sophomore forward Julien Ducree (Rancho Cucamonga HS) pulled down a career–high 13 rebounds.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… This one went down to the closing seconds, with UCSD not able to put a lid on it until Christian Oshita pulled down a rebound with two seconds remaining.

BOO YAY!… Not only did Jonquis Bouyea post career highs for points (15) and rebounds (5), he collected his first career blocked shot Thursday night.

ON THE REBOUND… Not only were Julien Ducree's 13 rebounds a career high, they were the most by an Otter in a game this season. It marked the fourth time in 14 games that Ducree has posted double figure rebounds and the eighth time by an Otter player overall.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Jonquis Bouyea 15; REBOUNDS: Julien Ducree 13; ASSISTS: Jonquis Bouyea 3; BLOCKS: Gregg Polosky 3; STEALS: Jahvon Johnson 2.

THE LAST WORD… "Jay (Bouyea) had a great game tonight. We just needed one other person to throw a few in. We gave ourselves a chance to win. I'm proud of the way we played tonight." – CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their brief 2–game homestand with a rare matinee performance Saturday afternoon against Cal State San Marcos. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and the second game of a men's/women's doubleheader.