Cuesta Men's Basketball dropped its final home game to #19 Moorpark, 85-70.  The visiting Raiders jumped out to an eleven-point lead in the first half, 46-35, and were able to stay even and fend off any of the Cougars' runs after the intermission to take the win, 85-70.  The Cougars honored their three sophomores in a pre-game ceremony and that trio of veterans carried the Cougars' attack.  Point Guard Jeffrey Bujan (Left) came off the bench to play his best game of the season.  Bujan posted season-highs with 17 points and a team-high five assists, while fellow Sophomore Ignacio Diaz (Center) had to leave the game with an injury after scoring his first basket of the night.   All-WSC Guard Drew Ardouin (Right) earned a lot of attention from Raiders' defense, but still scored a dozen points and passed former Cuesta Star Malte Kramer (1092 points) for 4th place on the Cougars all-time scoring list.  Ardouin now has 1,099 points and will end his career in 4th place all time unless the Cougars find a way into the playoffs.  Cuesta's Former Belgian Star Martin Rajniak (2001-02) holds the record with 1,200 points, while Ardouin's fellow Atascadero High Alumni Mecklen Davis (1,200) and Panamanian Star Josimar Ayarza hold the second and third spots with 1,167 and 1,165 points at Cuesta, respectively.  

The Cougars shall play their 2023-24 season finale on the road this Friday (5 PM) at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills.  The men shall play the opener of a Western State Conference men's and women's doubleheader.  The Brahmas currently reside in the WSC cellar with a 1-10 record against the circuit, while the Cougars are in 4th place, a game behind Ventura.  A win for Cuesta and loss for the Pirates would move Cuesta and Ventura into a tie for 3rd place and could renew hope for a possible post-season berth.  While the Cougars face Pierce, the Bucs end their season against a motivated Allan Hancock squad.  The Bulldogs have their sites on only their second conference title since former Bulldog Coach and current Cuesta Assistant Coach Ralph Gorton led them to the crown in 2011.