Pierce came out firing and built a double-digit lead early in the game, but Cuesta eventually slowed down and worked their way through the Brahmas tough man-to-man defense. The Cougars kept their composure and took the lead for good at 26-24 and outscored the Brahmas, 8-3, in the closing minutes of the first half. The Cougars trio of Jacques Safra (pict), Stef Korfas (pict), and Ali Pacaci (pict) accounted for 28 of the Cougars' 31 first half points, but the rest of the squad got involved after the intermission and combined for 18 points of their own. Safra scored a game-high 21 points and led the Cougars in scoring for the sixth straight game, while Korfas netted 18 points and Pacaci added 15. The victory avenges the Cougars' first round loss to the Brahmas in Woodland Hills, 92-87, and puts them in range of 3rd place in the WSC at 11-15 overall and 5-5 in the loop.
The Cougars are a game behind Moorpark for 3rd place and host the Raiders next Wednesday (6 PM) for their final home game of the year- "Sophomore Night". Moorpark beat the Cougars by nine points on their home floor, but the Cougars have been scoring a full ten points more per game in the second round of WSC play. Cuesta wraps up the season against loop leader Ventura in Ventura on Saturday. The Pirates beat the Cougars by a single basket, 63-60, in the first round and have already clinched the WSC crown.