Men's Basketball has two Western State Conference games schedule this week.  On Wednesday (7 PM) they continue their first swing through the loop when they host local rival Allan Hancock.  The Cougars and Bulldogs are only separated by Southwestern College in the State's power rankings and have had plenty of time to scout each other, as they have both played a tournament in the other's gym.  The Bulldogs were 0-2 in Cuesta Hinson's Tire Pros Tournament but were 2-0 at their own Hancock Holiday Classic.  The Cougars earned a split in the Hinson's Tourney and swept in Santa Maria.  On Saturday (3 PM), the Cougars' Cagers are back on the road for a Western State Conference "midday special" at Oxnard.  The women's game has been moved to 1 PM, while the men play at 3 PM.  

The Cougars 2023 Western State Conference Opener against Santa Barbara City, scheduled for last Wednesday, was postponed due to a weather advisory, so they opened their conference schedule on Saturday at #15 Ventura.  The Cougars, playing their first game of 2023, came out slow as the Pirates built a 19-point lead going into the intermission, 46-27.  Cuesta returned to form in the second half, but was unable to complete the comeback and, eventually, fell 85-73.  Sophomore Point Guard Aaron Russell (pict) scored a game-high 26 points, while his backcourt mate Drew Ardouin added 18 points to the Cougars' cause.  Sophomore Forward Mason Romano also netted 10 points, while posting team-highs with four rebounds and three assists.  The Cougars are 9-8 overall and 0-1 against the WSC.