Box Score OCEANSIDE, Calif. –The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team battled back from a 17-point second-half deficit to pull within three, but Concordia (Calif.) withstood the Cougar charge and prevailed, 81-73, on Thursday night at MiraCosta College.

CSUSM (8-15) trailed 72-69 with 3:48 on the clock and had a couple of opportunities to get closer, but an empty possession and a turnover that resulted in a pair of free throws put CUI (8-6) back up five.

The Cougars then went 1-of-2 at the stripe their next two times at the free-throw line before CUI's Ashley Ellis broke through with a turnaround jumper to make it 77-71.

Lindsay Uyematsu's 3-pointer that would have cut the deficit in half was blocked at the top of the key. The Eagles then drew a foul before Carlisha Phillips' free throw put CUI up three possessions, 78-71, with 21 seconds remaining.

Heather Thompson led the Cougars with game-highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds. She added a team-high four assists in the process. Kimberly Kipp finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Sherika Miller registered 16 points.

CSUSM took the lead out of the gate, but CUI used an 8-0 run to steal it back before holding on to the advantage in the early stages.

The Cougars didn't let the Eagles out of their sight, though, and Cassie Damyanovich hit a 3-pointer from the right side to give the Cougars a 25-24 lead at the 8:12 mark.

Miller's two free throws made it 32-30 with 3:22 left, but Ellis responded with an old-fashioned 3-point play and a finger roll on consecutive trips to take back the lead for the Eagles.

Miller continued her hot end to the frame, converting another 3-point play at the 1:55 mark before hitting a 3-pointer that made the lead seven just 17 seconds later.

A late bucket by Kipp pulled CSUSM within 43-37 at the break.

CUI took its biggest lead of the game, 57-43, with 13:47 remaining in the second half. However, the Cougars responded with an 11-1 run before holding CUI scoreless for 3:50 between the 9:24 and 5:34 mark.

CSUSM clawed its way closer and back-to-back layups by Thompson and Miller made it 68-65 in favor of the Eagles with 5:52 left. Despite pulling within three twice more, the Cougars could not edge any closer.

The Cougars travel to play La Sierra in Riverside next Thursday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m.