EL CAJON, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team earned its first win in program history against San Diego Christian on Saturday with a 54-53 victory over the Hawks. 
 
"A win is a win and we will take it," said interm head coach Crystal Harris. "We didn't play our best basketball today, but we finally proved to ourselves that we can finish out a game. 

"I hope we can grab some confidence from this win and run with it." 

Senior Mackenzie Harnett scored a team-high 15 points in addition to four rebounds. Senior Heather Thompson, who had 13 points and eight rebounds and senior Cassie Damyanovich, who finished with 11 points, joined her in double figures.
 
CSUSM took a 26-25 lead into the break after a steal by freshman Kylie Coppi led to a Damyanovich layup with 13 on the clock.
 
After relinquishing the lead twice in the first two minutes of the second half, CSUSM never trailed the rest of the game. The Cougars led by as many as 12 points after Damyanovich sunk a 3-pointer at the 8:21 mark.
 
CSUSM's offense went cold as the Hawks went on a 10-2 run to make it 49-47 with just under four minutes remaining. Senior Kimberly Kipp broke the Cougar drought with a layup. 
 
SDCC's Gabrielle Concepcion sunk a bucket out in 3-point land, but the referees ruled it a two to make it 52-51 at 1:47. Harnett connected on a pair of crucial free throws to give CSUSM the victory.
 
CSUSM won the battle of the board, 30-24, while shooting 50 percent from the field.
 
The Cougars next compete in the Simpson Tournament Dec. 29-30.