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Tournament Central]
For the first time since 2010, Cal State San Bernardino can call itself the CCAA Tournament Champions.
Tournament MVP, Brandon Knapper, led five Yotes in double-figures as CSUSB defeated second-seeded Cal State San Marcos, 88-81,
Knapper scored 15 of his team-leading 26 points from the free throw line. He hit three 3-pointers while grabbing six boards, dishing out five assists, and recording two steals. In four career CCAA Tournament games, Knapper averaged 27.3 points per game.
He had a lot of help this game, with four other Yotes also scoring 11 or more points. Eddie Davis had 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting to earn all-tournament honors. Darius Mickens added 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Kaijae Yee-Stephens came off the bench to hit three big shots from behind the arc, and he finished with 11 points. Dontrell Shuler scored 12 of his 14 points before the half to help the Yotes take a 43-32 lead into the locker room.
Cal State San Bernardino looked like they might run away with it early as CSUSM scored the first basket before CSUSB scored the 13 points. The Cougars fought back and even took the lead midway through the first half (22-20). The Yotes then hit another big run to grab the halftime lead.
CSUSB continued to hold the advantage throughout the second half, but they were not able to separate from the Cougars until the final seven minutes of the game. Zack Perlstein hit a layup with 7:15 remaining to bring the Cougars within six (64-58). CSUSB answered with a 11-2 run led by multiple fast break layups over the next four minutes to go up 73-62. The Yotes defense then stepped up and sealed the win.
Quinn Denker led CSUSM with 26 points. He scored 57 points over the two games and was named to the all-tournament team.
Both teams will find out their NCAA Regional fate during the selection show on Sunday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
CCAA All-Tournament Team
Brandon Knapper, Cal State San Bernardino (MVP)
Eddie Davis, Cal State San Bernardino
Quinn Denker, Cal State San Marcos
Evan Oliver, Chico State
Jaylen Wells, Sonoma State