SEASIDE — Always battling has been a consistent theme for the 2021-22 Stanislaus State men's basketball team.
 
Thursday, Despite having a limited roster of only seven players and coming off a two-week hiatus following a pause for COVID-19 protocols, the Warriors still went on the road to a top-four team in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and battled, eventually falling, 61-51, against Cal State Monterey Bay at the Kelp Bed.
 
The Warriors (4-8, 1-6 CCAA) led for the first nine minutes of the game and later hit a 3-pointer 90 seconds before halftime to go back up by one. The Otters (7-4, 6-2 CCAA) made their move at the start of the second half over a 5-1/2 minute stretch. A 14-4 run that started just under the 18-minute mark and went to 12:15 on the clock turned a two-point game into a 12-point contest, and CSUMB's lead never dropped below eight after that.
 
Stanislaus State went 2 for 8 (25%) shooting and committed three turnovers during Cal State Monterey Bay's run. The Warriors held the Otters to 35.5% in the first half, but the Otters came out and shot 46.4% in the second, including 54.5% (6 for 11) during their decisive run.
 
Tony Singleton led Stanislaus State with 17 points. Keegan Cummins added 10. Marlon Short had 10 rebounds to go with four points, three steals and two blocks. Cal State Monterey Bay was led by Kyle Johnson's double-double of 13 points and 11 boards. Jailen Nelson scored 13 points off the bench. CSUMB used 11 players in the game to the Warriors' seven, with only Johnson playing more than 23 minutes. Stanislaus State had four players play at least 34 minutes Thursday.
 
The Warriors next travel to San Francisco State to take on the Gators in a CCAA matchup at 3 p.m. Saturday. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.