SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team is happy to be back on its home court this Thursday when the Cougars host No. 3 Vanguard at MiraCosta College.   
  
The Schedule
Game 8
Thursday, December 4 – 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 Vanguard (2-0) at Cal State San Marcos (1-6)
Oceanside, Calif. – MiraCosta College
Live Video | Live Stats
 
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Be There for Every Game!
You can now reserve your seat for every CSUSM home game of the 2014-15 season! Purchase season tickets today! Women's tickets start as low as $50 for all home contests. VIP courtside seats can be purchased for $75 with an additional $100 donation to the Cougar Athletic Club. To order today, click here.

Track The Cougars!
There are now more ways than ever to stay in tune with the CSUSM women's basketball team. To receive all news regarding the women's basketball team directly to your inbox, sign up for Cougar Update. Every pregame story, postgame story, and news posted to CSUSMcougars.com will be sent directly to you. Also, fans can sign up for text message updates to receive scores right after the games, and CSUSM Athletics' weekly email digest, Cougar Tracks.
 
No. 3 Vanguard Preview
All-time vs. Vanguard: 0-6
Conference:  GSAC
Last Meeting: CSUSM's late season run last year was brought to a halt in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship First Round, as the Cougars fell to top seed Vanguard 97-47 on March 3 at the Civic Center in Frankfort, Ky. Sherika Miller had a team-high 12 points and Alex Alvarado dished out five assists. Brianna Higgins collected 10 points and five rebounds.
Vanguard Breakdown: The Lions opened the season by squeaking out a 74-73 victory over visiting Bethesda on Nov. 14 and followed it with an easy 85-56 victory against La Sierra on Nov. 17.  Vanguard hosts Westmont tonight at 5:30 p.m. Riley Holsinger and Samantha Doucette are pacing the Lions with 29.5 and 24.0 points per game, respectively.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay Recap
The gloomy weather outside made its way into the Otter Sports Center where the Cougars dropped an 81-67 decision to Cal State Monterey Bay last Sunday afternoon. Senior forward Heather Thompson just missed out on her third double-double of the season, knocking down 19 points and nine rebounds. She registered a season-high four blocked shots and went 9-of-11 at the free throw line. Senior Mackenzie Harnett collected 13 points while dishing out three assists.   
 
Where the Cougars Rank in Nation
With seven games in the books this season, senior Heather Thompson appears in five categories in the NAIA individual top 25 rankings:

• No. 17 in blocks per game (1.57)
• No. 17 in defensive rebounds per game (6.29)
• No. 20 in total blocks (11)
• No. 20 in free throw percentage (0.846)
• No. 25 in field goal percentage (0.513)

As a team, the Cougars are No. 26 in total rebound defense (36.1), No. 32 in field goal percentage (0.419) and No. 35 in 3-point field goal percentage (0.320).
 
Who We Are
CSUSM is an NAIA Division I institution which competes in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference. CSUSM was accepted into NCAA Division II Candidacy Year One and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the summer and is currently going through a three-year transition phase in order to gain full NCAA DII status for the 2017-18 season. The 2014-15 season will be the school's final year in the NAIA.
 
CSUSM Athletics Social Media
The Cougars are now more "social" than ever… Navigate to the CSUSM Athletics Social Media Directory to connect with your favorite teams, coaches and administrators. Keep track of the CSUSM men's basketball team on Facebook and Twitter.