Box Score Facing a strong NCAA Division I opponent Friday night, it was a tough local opener for the CSUSM women's basketball team, as the Cougars traveled to the University of San Diego and lost 80-56.
 
CSUSM drops to 0-3 on the season, but has two impressive wins in exhibition games over NCAA DII opponents.  The game was the first of the season for USD, who is now 1-0.
 
The Toreros controlled play from the tip off, with 6'3” center Kameron Knutson completely shutting down the paint for CSUSM and controlling the offensive glass.  Knutson tallied 12 rebounds for the game.
 
USD took immediate control with a 15-4 run to start the game, as the Cougars looked passive and struggled to get into their offense.  CSUSM would right the ship though, and in a 10-minute stretch in the first half clawed back in it to make a competitive 33-24.
 
But it was always USD's game, with the Toreros exploiting their advantage in the paint and heating up from the outside to close the half on a 16-4 run, making the deficit 49-28.
 
CSUSM would play better overall in the second half, and had stretches of good offense.  The Cougars showed an ability to work the ball into the paint, but were unable to consistently finish at the rim against USD's athletic bigs.  For the game, the Cougars shot just 26% from the field, despite a robust 41% from three, and were outrebounded 55-45.
 
Coach Sheri Jennum's squad will look to shake off the loss quickly, with the team opening up its home season at MiraCosta College against a very good Master's College team at 7:30 PM tomorrow (Saturday, November 12^th).