ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team's struggles from the free throw line proved costly, allowing Alaska Fairbanks to rally in the second half for an 80-78 victory Friday afternoon in the Dixie State Thanksgiving Classic opener.
 
As a team, CSUSM went 11-of-24 from the free throw line.  UAF didn't do much better but had less chances with a 9-of-16 result. 
 
The Cougars led for over 70 percent of the game. They held a 51-42 lead at the halftime break thanks in part to senior Cassie Damyanovich's 16 first half points. She went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
 
Junior Brianna Higgins led all scorers with 23 points while Damyanovich finished with 20 points.  Seniors Mackenzie Harnett and Heather Thompson added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
 
A jumper by Kylie Coppi gave CSUSM its largest lead of the day of 13 points (55-42) at the 16:21 mark of the second half.
 
The Nanooks surged back with a 28-15 run to take their first lead of the second half at the six-minute mark.
 
Both teams went into a scoring drought for almost three minutes.
 
CSUSM regained the lead at 73-71 on an old-fashioned three-point play by Higgins at 3:09.
 
Back-to-back layups by Benissa Bulaya put UAF back in the lead at 78-76 with 37 seconds on the clock. 
 
Higgins stepped up again for the Cougars with a layup with at 20 seconds left to knot it at 78-78, but Bulaya's layup at the 12-second mark proved to be the game-winner for UAF.
 
The Cougars went 1-of-6 at the charity stripe in the final three minutes.
 
CSUSM (1-3) is back in action Saturday, Nov. 22, taking on host Dixie State at 1:30 p.m.