MONTGOMERY, W. Va. – Senior Heather Thompson posted 18 points and 17 rebounds and sophomore Shayd Bowers had a career-high 11 points to lead No. 3 seed Cal State San Marcos to a 71-57 win over No. 6 seed Allen (S.C.) in the first round of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Thursday afternoon at Baisi Athletic Center.
 
CSUSM improves to 14-15 and will face No. 2 seed West Virginia Tech on Friday, March 6 at 2 p.m.  Allen falls to 9-24.
 
The Cougars struggled out the gate, but a 10-0 run at the eight-minute mark proved to be the game-changer.  With 10 points coming from the charity stripe, CSUSM cruised into the break with a 35-23 lead. 
 
Sophomore Crystal Hicks' jumper broke a four-minute scoring draught between both teams in the opening of the second half. CSUSM led by as many as 24 points with less than eight minutes remaining but five 3-pointers by the Yellow Jackets in a seven minute span cut the Cougar lead to 68-55
 
Senior Kimberly Kipp and junior Brianna Higgins each contributed nine points while combining for 17 rebounds.  Senior Alex Alvarado dished out five of CSUSM's 10 assists.
 
CSUSM pulled down a season-best 66 rebounds that included 18 offensive boards.
 
Kamya Thomas led the Allen offense with 13 points.