Men's Basketball hosted local rival Allan Hancock for a Western State Conference game and fell to the Bulldogs, 81-70.  The Cougars struggled out of the gate, while the Bulldogs open the game on 22-2 run and never looked back.  Allan Hancock built its lead up to 25 points just after the intermission, 51-26, but the Cougars shook off their slow start and began their climb back into contention.  Sophomore Guard Aaron Russell attacked a confident Bulldogs' defense at the start of the second half and kept up the pressure the rest of the game with a career-high 37 points.  Russell's point total tied fellow Guard Drew Ardouin's mark for the team's best scoring game of the season and 11th all time at Cuesta.  Ardouin also netted 11 points in tonight's game and was the only other Cougar to score in double-digits. While the backcourt was doing all the scoring, undersized Center Mason Romano filled up the rest of the box score.  Romano led the Cougars with eight rebounds, while also posting game-highs with three assists, three blocks and three steals.  The setback marked the Cougars' second straight loss in WSC play (0-2) and dropped them back to .500 on the season (9-9).  

The Cuesta Cagers continue their chase their first win in WSC play this Saturday (3 PM) at Oxnard.  The Cougars and Condors, along with Pierce, are currently the only teams in the loop without a victory in WSC play.

Cuesta Men's Basketball Single Game Records

Most Points in a Game

47        Marcus Bloom v. Moorpark-18 february 1997

43        Eric Edmunds v. Lassen- 14 november 1999 (ot)

42        Paul Kinne- 1974

41        Dean Taylor, 1990

41        Alexandre Fanchini v. Porterville- 17 november 2018

40        Martin Rajniak v. Ventura- 6 january 2001

40        Seth Koenig v. Citrus- 6 march 2010-$

39        Jacques Safra v. Oxnard- 1 february 2020

38        Mike Green v. Pierce- 20 february 2004

38        Mecklen Davis v. Allan Hancock- 29 december 2004

37        Tom Schumacher v. Santa Barbara- 14 january 2009

37        Seth Koenig v. Santa Barbara- 20 february 2010

37        Roberto Mantovani v. Moorpark- 20 february 2016 (2ot)

37        DREW ARDOUIN v. Merced- 18 november 2022

37        AARON RUSSELL v. Allan Hancock- 11 january 2023

36        Jaron Singletary v. Canyons- 12 december 1997

36        JUANI DASSIE v. Cerro Coso- 22 november 2022

35        Kareem Grant v. Allan Hancock- 30 december 2002

35        Mecklen Davis v. Southwestern- 4 december 2004

35        Daniel Hestehauge v. Oxnard- 15 february 2006

35        Josimar Ayarza v. Butte- 14 december 2007 (ot)

35        Roger Guardia v. Sequoias- 8 november 2009

35        Oscar Pedroso v. Allan Hancock- 5 february 2014