SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team faces Vanguard on the road Tuesday, Jan. 20 before returning home to host Northern New Mexico on Saturday, Jan. 24 at MiraCosta College.
 
The Schedule
Game 18
Tuesday, January 20 – 7:30 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (6-11) at No. 13 Vanguard (12-4)
Costa Mesa, Calif. – The Pit
Video | Live Stats
 
Game 19
Saturday, January 24 – 5:30 p.m.
Northern New Mexico (11-9) at Cal State San Marcos (6-11)
Oceanside, Calif. – MiraCosta College
Video | Live Stats
 
Follow Women's Basketball
On Facebook | On Twitter (@CSUSM_WBB)
 
Kids 12 & Under Free When Wearing Basketball Jersey
Admission to every CSUSM home game is free for youth 12 & under when wearing their youth team's jersey to the game. Accompanying parents will be admitted for a discounted rate of $5. Regular adult ticket prices are $7, while children 12 & under and seniors over 55 and older are $5.
 
Military Appreciation Night – Jan. 24
Join the CSUSM Cougars as we honor local military members, veterans and their families at Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, Jan. 24 during the men's and women's basketball doubleheader against Northern New Mexico. All current and former military members and their families will receive free entry to both the men's and women's game with valid military ID. The women's game starts at 5:30 p.m.; the men's game tips-off at 7:30 p.m.

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.
 
Vanguard Preview
All-time vs. Vanguard: 0-7
Conference: GSAC
Last Meeting: L, 41-65 (Dec. 4, 2014).  The Cougars made great strides in a tough game before then-ranked No. 3 Vanguard pulled away in the second half. Senior Heather Thompson recorded her third double-double night with 10 points and 11 rebounds.  Senior Mackenzie Harnett had a team-high 15 points. 
Vanguard Breakdown: The Lions have won three consecutive games topped by a 68-51 victory over Biola on Saturday, Jan. 17.  Riley Holsinger has the fifth-best points per game average in the nation with a 20.4 average.

Northern New Mexico Preview
All-time vs. NNMU: 2-0
Conference: A.I.I.
Last Meeting: W, 62-52 (March 8, 2014). The Cougars held Northern New Mexico to 26.2 percent shooting in a 62-52 victory in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference semifinals in Marietta, Ga. Cassie Damyanovich led CSUSM with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Heather Thompson had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 16 boards. Alex Alvarado contributed nine points and a game-high six assists.
NNMU Breakdown: The Eagles face two opponents, Western New Mexico (Jan. 20) and Bethesda (Jan 22) before their match-up against the Cougars on Saturday, Jan. 24. Demetria Chichee is scoring a team-best 11.7 points per game while Myla Woods-Brown is pulling down a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game.

Last Game Recap
The Cougars took a break from their regular season schedule last week to host Bristol University in an exhibition game. It took an extra five minutes, but the Cougars registered a 63-56 overtime victory over the Bears. With 14 Cougars in action, junior Brianna Higgins led the CSUSM offense with 11 points while pulling down nine rebounds.  Senior Heather Thompson was one point shy of a double-double, finishing with nine points and 14 rebounds.  She also registered four blocked shots. 

Where the Cougars Rank in Nation
CSUSM is featured in five top 25 categories in the latest NAIA statistical rankings
 

• No. 3 in 3-point field goal percentage (0.382)
• No. 7 in total rebound defense (32.9)
• No. 18 in field goal percentage (0.433)
• No. 22 in blocks per game (3.2)
• No. 24 in total blocks (54)

Seniors Heather Thompson and Cassie Damyanovich both appear in the NAIA individual top 25 rankings
 
Heather Thompson 

• No. 6 in defensive rebounds per game (7.2)
• No. 11 in blocks per game (1.8)
• No. 11 in total blocks (31)
• No. 17 in total rebounds (149)
• No. 23 in field goal percentage (0.492)
• No. 24 total rebounds per game (8.8)

Cassie Damyanovich

• No. 4 in field goal percentage (0.463)
• No. 16 in 3-point field goals made (44)
• No. 17 in 3-point field goals made per game (2.6)

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.
 
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.
 
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.