Men's Basketball set itself with a tough opener to the 54th Hinson's Tire Winter Classic with a game against #2 Sequoias.  The Cougars kept pace with the 2022 CCCAA Semi-Finalists for most of the first half, but the Giants pulled away and took an 8-point lead into the intermission, 38-30.  The two teams combined for more than eighty points in the second half, however Cuesta was unable to overcome the earlier deficit and lost, 80-70.  On offense, Returning All-WSC First Teamer Juani Dassie led the way for Cuesta with six three-pointers and 20 points, while Point Guard Aaron Russell (pict) added 17 points and a game-high five assists.  The loss dropped the Cougars to 1-2 on the season.

The Hinson's Tire Pros Tournament continues tomorrow with the Cougars matching up with Gavilan (5 PM), who beat local rival Allan Hancock, 70-64, in the tournament opener.  The Bulldogs will swap places with the Cougars and face Giants in the early game (3 PM).