Montgomery, W. Va. – Five Cougars reached double-digits as the Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team recorded its fourth consecutive win with a 75-65 victory over West Virginia Tech in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference semifinals on Friday afternoon at Baisi Athletic Center.
 
The Cougars improved to 15-15, reaching .500 for the first time this season and the Golden Bears drop to 16-15.  No. 3-seed CSUSM will face top-seeded Morris College (S.C.) on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the A.I.I. Conference title and an automatic berth to the NAIA Tournament.
 
"We came out strong and had a lot of contributions tonight," said interim head coach Crystal Harris. "I am proud of our fight and grit. We survived a late surge to beat a very good West Virginia Tech team. 
 
Senior Cassie Damyanovich led the Cougars with 17 points.  Seniors Mackenzie Harnett and Kimberly Kipp each finished one rebound shy of a double-double after recording 15 points and 12 points, respectively. Senior Heather Thompson added 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Sophomore Crystal Hicks posted 10 points.  Harnett dished out seven assists while senior Alex Alvarado finished with six assists.
 
The Cougars shot an impressive 62.5 percent (15-of-24) in the first half to take a 38-24 lead into the break.
 
Kipp's jumper in the paint at the 14:35 mark gave CSUSM its largest lead of the game at 53-33.  The Golden Bears answered with a 20-4 run to cut the game to 57-53 with less than eight minutes remaining. CSUSM never allowed WVT get any cloers and a 5-for-6 performance at the charity line by the Cougars in the final minute clinched the victory.
 
CSUSM once again out-rebounded its opponent, finishing with 44 to WVT's 30.
 
"We live to see another day," Harris said. "We are excited to be playing for another conference championship."