CSUMB men's hoops

Head coach Isaac Williams said he's not the type of person to be excited about a single win during the middle of the season.
 This might have been the exception
 Williams has preached patience all season and the Otters have bought into it.
 That's not easy when you're winless on the season and enduring a record 32 game losing streak that dates back to Dec. 8, 2017.
 So, yes Thursday's 81-74 win over Chico State was a big deal, maybe the biggest win for Williams since his arrival last year.
 He understands he can not turn this program around overnight. Of course, Williams did not expect to start the season 0-15 either.
 "I'm very proud of our players ability to stick together and continue on a path that we know will lead to future success," Williams said.
 The reason for optimism is simple. There is one senior on the roster, and Chris Turner was big in the win with 18 points and three blocks.
 But there are six freshmen on the roster getting on the job training, three sophomores getting a grasp of Division II basketball.
 Williams has a core in place. And next year he'll have another recruiting class that is his.
 You can't hide from an 0-15 start. Yet, a closer look shows the Otters have been competitive, losing two games by two points and three games by six points or less.
 Reverse those results and CSUMB is 6-10 instead of 1-15. Those are growing pains. The mistakes in big moments won't be made next year.