OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team fell 61-57 to William Jessup in its season opener on Saturday night at MiraCosta College.

In a tight back-and-forth game in which neither team led by more than five points, the Warriors clinched the win when Nicole McDonald's right-handed layup put WJU (1-1) up two possessions with eight seconds remaining.

CSUSM (0-1) led by one at the break, but spent a large part of the second half playing from behind. Sherika Miller handed the Cougars their first lead in nearly 10 minutes when her jumper in the lane made it 53-51 with 6:13 remaining.

However, WJU answered to tie it at 55-55 before McDonald hit a runner in the lane and a pair of free throws to put the Warriors up four with 1:25 left.

Then, things got interesting.

McDonald was called for a foul at the top of the key that would have sent Lindsay Uyematsu to the line for a pair of free shots, but the Cougars were granted two more when the WJU coach was called for a technical foul for an overreaction to the call.

Uyematsu didn't tie the game, but cut the deficit in half by making 2-of-4 free throws with no time elapsing off the clock.

On the ensuing Warrior possession, Heather Thompson got into the passing lane to block Olivia Nelson's pass and forced a turnover when Nelson walked after corralling the deflection.

With the ball and down by two with less than 60 seconds remaining, the Cougars worked the ball around the right side to Miller, who tried to sneak around the baseline to get off a shot. WJU tied her up in the corner and CSUSM retained possession with nine seconds left on the shot clock.

The Cougars attempted to run a set off the inbounds play, but were unable to get off a shot when Cassie Damyanovich was trapped above the 3-point line.

Needing a stop, the Cougars denied penetration from the Warriors until McDonald got free on the right side of the lane for the game-clincher.

Miller led all Cougars with 18 points, while Damyanovich pitched in with eight. Melaya Gaines led the team with 10 rebounds in her first game in Cougar blue.