Box Score The Chicago State men's basketball team, playing in the postseason for the first time since 2013, earned their first Division I postseason victory with a 77-75 victory over UC San Diego Saturday afternoon at Ocean Arena in Daytona Beach, Florida in the first round of the Ro College Basketball Invitational.
The game was close throughout, tied 38-38 at the half and was highlighted by 10 ties and 15 lead changes. The Cougars, the No. 15 seed, looked to have things in hand late, taking a six-point lead with just 32 seconds remaining before UCSD, the No. 2 seed, converted a three, stole a CSU pass and made a layup to cut the lead to just one with 18 seconds remaining. The Tritons stole the ensuing inbounds pass but traveled when collecting the ball and the Cougars regained possession. Wesley Cardet then made one of two free throws and UCSD, trailing 77-75, missed a long three attempt to win the game and the clock expired as they tried to put back the offensive rebound with a layup to tie.
The Cougars had four scorers in double figures led by Cardet who led all players with 30 points including 6-of-7 free throws.
Jahsean Corbett had 22 to go along with a team-high nine rebounds and
Noble Crawford had 13 and
Brent Davis 10.
With the win, the Cougars advance to the quarterfinals and will face the winner of No. 7 Fairfield and No. 10 Little Rock on Monday, March 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Ocean Arena in Daytona Beach. Fairfield and Little Rock play Sunday, March 24.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University competes in the Northeast Conference (effective July 2024) and sponsors 16 Division I intercollegiate athletics teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball.
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