CSUMB men's hoops

 There is reason for optimism that for the fourth straight year, the Otters will improve in the win column this winter.
 Will that translate to a postseason berth?
 One step at a time.
 The Otters have taken small steps in rebuilding the program after a 3-23 campaign in 2012.
  In 2013, they won nine games and last year finished 10-15 overall, with eight of those wins coming in conference play.
 CSUMB has its two leading scorers back in the fold for tonight's opener in Riverside against Holy Names with junior sharpshooter Alex Fertig and 6-foot-4 senior Ryan Nitz.
 Fertig, who is already No. 10 all-time on the Otters scoring list, is one of only two players to ever average double figures in points in his freshmen and sophomore seasons at CSUMB.
 The Otters also have some size and strength in the paint with four players on the roster standing 6-7 or taller, including sophomore Isaiah Smith, who showed glimpses of his potential last year.
 Head coach Rob Bishop also saw enough in former Seaside all-league guard Jonquis Bouyea to put him on the roster this year after redshirting last season.