Bulldogs battle in pair of close OT losses at Ohlone Classic

FREMONT – The 2024-25 College of San Mateo men's basketball season got off to a tough start as the Bulldogs battled, but came out on the losing end of pair of overtime defeats at the Ohlone College Classic.

CSM opened with a 94-91 OT loss to Orange Coast in its season debut on Friday and followed that with another heart-breaking 97-91 setback to Shasta College that closed the opening-weekend's action on Saturday.

On Friday, the Bulldogs overcame a 46-38 halftime-deficit to tie up the contest in the second and send it to OT. But Orange Coast edged CSM 11-8 to earn the win.

Keshawn Johnson had a big game off the bench for San Mateo. He posted a double-double as he led CSM with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson added 3 blocks and a pair of steals.

Isaiah Garcia was a solid contributor off the bench with 15 points. Taylor Bryant-Frey added 11 points and 7 rebounds while Jeremy Pierro also scored 11 points and had 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.  

Saturday's contest against Shasta saw the Bulldogs unable to hold a halftime. CSM was up 45-34 at the break before the Knights rallied to send the game to extra time. Shasta outscored San Mateo 15-9 to take home the victory.

Bryant-Frey sank 4 three-pointers on his way to a team-leading 19 points. Zaden Martin totaled 16 points and 8 rebounds while Jermaine Patton added 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 boards. Pierro chipped in with 12 points and Diallo Norwood had 9 points and 8 rebounds.

CSM, now 0-2, is back in action on Friday (Nov. 8) when the Bulldogs travel to College of the Redwoods for a 5 p.m. non-conference game.