Box Score
Box Score

The Cal State San Marcos Women's Basketball team continued their impressive run as a first-year program, winning the 2012 A.I.I. Conference Championship and advancing to the NAIA National Championships in Sioux Falls, Iowa.

The championship game, much like Saturday's semifinal, did not lack for drama as the Cougars had to again come from behind down the stretch, this time winning in overtime to defeat #4 seed Valley City State 54-52.

The game didn't appear to be a close one early on, with CSUSM jumping out to an 20-6 lead from the opening tip, holding the Vikings to just 1-of-18 shooting at that point.

With one minute left in the first half, CSUSM led 27-13, but Valley City State would fight their way back and actually led for most of the second half after a huge 18-0 run put the Vikings ahead by 4. The Cougars didn't score again until 8 minutes into the second half when Sidney Dobner's second 3-pointer of the afternoon ended the San Marcos drought.

The teams would trade the lead a couple more times until the Vikings hit back-to-back 3 pointers that put the Cougars down 45-39 with 5 minutes to play.

Saturday's hero Sarah Jackson, who scored a second-chance layup with 15 seconds remaining to knock off #2 seed Indiana Northwest, provided the scoring for the Cougars down the stretch once again, scoring 6 of the team's final 8 points in regulation, including a huge basket to bring the Cougars to within 2, and then another to tie the game at 47.

Valley City State had a final attempt to win in regulation, but MacKensie Harnett stole the ball under the basket to force overtime.

In overtime, Justine Chacon drained back-to-back 3 pointers to put the Cougars up 53-47, and Valley City State never recovered, although they did make it close. The Vikings had a chance to win at the final buzzer, but a last-second 3 point attempt to win never even hit the rim.

Michel'la Logan continued her hot play after Saturday's double-double (14 points, 15 rebounds) and led San Marcos again on offense, scoring 13 points despite leaving with an ankle injury in the second half. Sarah Jackson, who had 12 points against Indiana Northwest, finished the game with 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting, and picked up 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Both Logan and Jackson were awarded to the A.I.I. Conference All-Tournament Team.

CSUSM floor general Sidney Dobner excelled in all areas as well, nearly picking up a triple-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Her clutch block with 3 seconds left in regulation forced the Vikings into a difficult position under the basket with just 1.5 seconds remaining.

Cal State San Marcos will await to hear their opening round opponent in the NAIA Division II National Championships. The tournament takes place March 7th-13th in Sioux Falls, IA, and follows a 32-team single-elimination format.

Note: Women's Basketball's A.I.I. Championship makes San Marcos 6-for-6 this year in conference championships, as men and women's soccer, men and women's cross country, and volleyball each laid claim to an A.I.I. Conference Title this fall.