The Cerro Coso Coyotes basketball team returned home to host the Cuesta Cougars, and held off their opponent for a 77-74 win. The win snaps a two game losing streak for the Coyotes after falling to Fullerton College at home and falling in a close game to Moorpark in the team's first road game of the season.

"Grit and toughness," said Head Coach Chris Duggan on the win. "Being able to make the free throws when they matter and to get the stops. We have been in four games in crunch time we are 3-1. We are making the big plays when we need to and its nice to get that early on, I can trust them. The boys needed it. We lost a big 30 point game, we go and lose on the road and we had a chance to win it but we didn't come up with it. They needed it for their morale it was good."

The Coyotes had three starters finish in double figure scoring led by Sincere Edwards with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and four blocks. Jalen Williams had 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Adam Claybourne Jr. added 14 points with three rebounds, a steal, and an assist. The Coyotes took a 35-29 lead into the half but Cuesta came back and outscored Cerro Coso 45-42 in the second half. The Coyotes were able to hold off the Cougars run and hit free throws to keep a two possession lead. Dugan spoke on how his team's crunch time performance comes from their training and not guys needing to step up.

"Its not about stepping up its about our training so they are prepared for it," the Coyotes coach said. "I'm not worried about guys stepping up. They have put the work in and I trust they will make the plays. Its like in the military, the marines they do not rise to the occasion they train for it. And that is what our guys did. We put them through a lot of tough stuff they run the hill, they do boards, we wake up early, so that toughness they have to do they are ready for it."

Cerro Coso is on the road for its next game visiting Porterville on Tuesday, November 29th and then they are participating in two tournaments the Citrus Tournament and the Santa Barbara City Tournament. The Coyotes return home on Wednesday, December 14th and hot Mt. San Jacinto. Dugan spoke on the upcoming schedule and what his guys can do to stay focused during the break.

"We have a game next Tuesday on the road, we get a week off for Thanksgiving," Dugan said of the upcoming schedule. "Most of my guys are from out of town so they can't go anywhere but we have some boys who can cook. They will do a good job and get some time off, which is nice to not see me for a little bit because I'm harping at them all the time.

"Just stay mentally focused. We are doing a good job. I like this team, I love competing, I love going to war with them. That is all I can ask for. They are trying to do what I'm trying to get them to do and that is all I can ever ask for."

Dugan continued that Portville is a rival team that is in their district, and he expects his guys to be ready to go. He continued the atmosphere and fans are going to make the game fun and he expects a battle from a well coached team. He is excited to go out there and come back with the first road win of the season.