SANTA ANA - A late rally by the Dons fell just short as they lost to visiting Cuyamaca College 80-76 in a non-conference match. The Dons (5-6) forced 20 turnovers but it wasn't enough to counter a 58% shooting performance by the Coyotes (4-4).

Cuyamaca built a 10-point lead at the half as they shot 63% from both the field and three-point range, while the Dons struggled offensively, shooting just 33% from the field and 31% on three-pointers. The Dons, however, did convert all nine free throws while forcing nine turnovers in the half to keep the deficit at just 10.

The Coyotes continued to lead by double digits, building their lead to as large as 17 points, for the first 13 minutes of the second half. Finally, on a pair of Terrence Blum free throws, the Dons cut the lead to eight points with 7:02 left in the game.

The Dons slowly chipped away at Cuyamaca's lead before taking their first lead of the game since the opening minutes. It was a three-point basket by Jeff Gomez with 1:39 left in the game that put the Dons on top by one at 76-75.

But Cuyamaca would answer with a basket with 14 seconds remaining to go back on top before a technical foul gave Cuyamaca two free throws to seal the game.

The Dons were led in the loss by Erik Emanuel and Corey Wilson who each scored 12 points while Pedro Chavarin and Gomez each chipped in 11 points. Blum also scored in double digits, chipping in 10 points.