IRVINE, Calif. – A spirited defensive effort and a solid shooting night from the entire group helped CUI men's basketball emerge with a decisive 76-59 win on Saturday over Cal State San Marcos.

Joseph Locandro came off the bench and dropped 21 points in just over 18 minutes of action to lead the Golden Eagles. He shot 4-for-8 from downtown, 67 percent from the floor (8-for-12) and also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

Jayce Catchings drove to the basket at will and added 14 points and seven boards.

After falling behind 12-4 out the gate, CUI regrouped behind three-pointers by point guard Connor Gleason and Locandro. The Golden Eagles went on a 20-3 run where they seized control of the contest and put the Cougars off their game.

Gleason was a team-best +16 on the night and added eight points and three assists. Newcomer Kaden Minter had nearly an identical stat line, and made two treys just like Gleason. Minter also enjoyed throwing down a dunk late in the first half on another breakaway off a rebound and pass ahead by Jackson Harding.

The Golden Eagles out-rebounded CSUSM 41-to-28 and shot 42 percent from three-point land. CUI also shot 48 percent overall from the field and led by as many as 27 points.

The hustle was on display throughout the contest. Jackson Tucker made one of the most memorable plays of the entire night when he kept competing after a turnover, dove full steam ahead as if he was a sliding volleyball player to poke the ball away from a Cougars guard and CUI quickly regained possession.

Mikhail Mikhalov also scored his first basket as a Golden Eagle and provided good spot minutes down low with Harding as that duo combined for nine rebounds.

CUI continues its homestand with two upcoming games this next week in Irvine, which includes this Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. against Cal Poly Pomona and a Saturday non-conference affair with Cal Lutheran at 6 p.m. two days later.

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