Cuesta Men's Basketball has battled and beaten some of the best teams in the State but has struggled in the first round of Western State Conference play.  The Cougars fell to 0-4 against the loop with a loss to Moorpark on Saturday, 79-67.  Cuesta looked strong in the first half and rolled into halftime with a four-point lead, 40-36.  However, early in the second half the Cougars lost their momentum and over the next 11 minutes fell behind the Raiders by 17 points.  Cuesta pulled back with six points late in the half, before the Raiders pulled away for the win with free throws.  All-WSC Forward Juani Dassie (pict-L) and Freshman Guard Drew Ardouin (pict-R) were bright spots for the Cougars.  Dassie scored a game-high 21 points, while Ardouin netted 19 points and added game-highs with three assists and four steals.  The loss drops the Cougars to 9-11 overall and 0-4 against the WSC.  

The Cougars can bounce back into contention with three conference games next week.  The conclude the first round of WSC play when they host a make-up game with Santa Barbara on Monday (5 PM) and travel to Woodland Hills on Wednesday (7 PM).  On Saturday (5 PM) the Cougars begin the second round of WSC play with a re-match against the Vaqueros in Santa Barbara.