FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team stayed within striking distance with No. 23 Hope International until the very end before falling 72-64 Thursday night at Darling Pavilion.
 
"I am very proud of how we did played tonight against a good ranked Hope International team," said head coach Crystal Harris. "We let this one slip away from us with poor passing and by giving up 23 offensive boards. We can't do that against good teams. We will learn form it and move on while continuing to get better."
 
Senior Cassie Damyanovich put up a season-high 19 point, going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. Senior forward Heather Thompson collected 13 points, five rebounds and four assists while junior Brianna Higgins added nine points and seven boards. 
 
The score was even at 37 points apiece at the break as CSUSM shot an impressive 48.5 percent (16-33) from the field. 
 
An 11-3 run put the Royals up 59-49 at the midway point of the second half. CSUSM battled back by cutting HIU's lead to six on a 3-pointer by Damyanovich with one minute remaining.
 
Two made free throws by HIU's Alexis Perry clinched the win for the Royals.  Perry finished with 20 point and 13 rebounds while Brittany Bauman registered a game-high 23 points.
 
The Cougars (1-2) take a break from their regular season schedule with an exhibition game at University of San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 15.  Tipoff is 6 p.m.