SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team faces Bay Area duo this weekend, beginning with a showdown against California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) leader Cal State East Bay on Thursday followed by Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.
 
The Schedule
Game 10
Thursday, January 7 – 5:30 p.m.
CSUSM (3-6, 2-4 CCAA) at Cal State East Bay (11-2, 5-0 CCAA)
Oceanside, Calif. – MiraCosta College
Live Stats | Live Video

Game 11
Saturday, January 9 – 5:30 p.m.
CSUSM at Cal State Monterey Bay (6-6, 2-3 CCAA)
Oceanside, Calif. – MiraCosta College
Live Stats | Live Video
 
CSUSM Women's Basketball Social Media
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Probable Cougar Starters
G – #1 Ashley Jenkins (Jr., 5-5): 11.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.1 rpg, 30.9 mpg
G – #3 Paige Barber (So., 5-3): 7.2 ppg, 1.0 spg, 36.7 fg%, 29.4 mpg
G – #15 Ashley Ontiveros (Jr., 5-7): 8.8 ppg, 1.3 apg, 39.0 3fg%, 29.8 mpg
F – #4 Savannah Camp (So., 5-10): 15.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 44.6 fg%, 26.0 mpg
F – #34 Brianna Higgins (Sr., 6-0): 1.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.8 apg, 18.3 mpg

CCAA Standings
1. Cal State East Bay (5-0, 11-2)
1. Cal State Dominguez Hills (5-0, 7-6)
3. UC San Diego (5-1, 10-2)
4. Stanislaus State (4-2, 8-4)
5. Cal State San Bernardino (3-3, 6-4)
5. Humboldt State (3-3, 6-7)
7. Cal State Monterey Bay (2-3, 6-6)
7. San Francisco State (2-3, 4-7)
9. Cal State San Marcos (2-4, 3-6)
9. Cal Poly Pomona (2-4, 4-9)
11. Sonoma State (1-4, 6-8)
11. Cal State L.A. (1-4, 3-8)
13. Chico State (1-5, 5-6)
 
Rules Are A Changing in 2015-16
There are major changes in women's basketball this season. Games will now consist of four 10-minute quarters rather than two 20-minute halves. Teams will also now be awarded two free throws for each common foul beginning with the fifth team foul in each quarter.
 
Cal State East Bay Preview
All-time vs. CSUEB:  It will be the first-ever meeting between the squads.

CSUEB Breakdown: The Pioneers have won nine consecutive games and currently stands 5-0 in CCAA action. CSUEB leads the league and ranks eighth in the nation in scoring defense this season, holding opponents to 52.8 points per game. The Pioneers have three averaging double-digits in scoring with Tori Breshers leading the way with 17.2 points per game while Laci Effenberger and Shannon Bland averaging 12.7 and 11.4 points, respectively.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay Preview
All-time vs. CSUMB: 0-1
 
Last Meeting vs. CSUMB: L, 67-81 (Nov. 29, 2014). The Cougars outscored CSUMB 41-37 in the second half but were unable to overcome an 18 point deficit established in the opening half.  Turnovers proved to be the deciding factor as the Cougars committed 24 that resulted in 21 points for the Otters.

CSUMB Breakdown: CSUMB has dropped three of its last four games entering Saturday's game. The Otters have held their opponents to a conference-best 24.7 3-point field goal percentage season. Junior McKenna Hill is the only Otter registering double-digits in scoring this season at 12.9 per game.
 
The Renee Jimenez File
Renee Jimenez took the helm of the CSUSM women's basketball program on May 22, 2015. She brings a wealth of knowledge as a head coach in the CCAA, compiling a 125-71 record in the past seven seasons. Jimenez spent the last two seasons at Cal State San Bernardino (2013-15) after a five-year stint at Cal State Monterey Bay (2008-13).
 
New Conference
Cal State San Marcos is in its first season competing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The CCAA is made up of 12 CSU institutions and UC San Diego. The CCAA is one of the premier NCAA Division II leagues in the nation. Its teams have won more national championships (153) than any other NCAA Division II conference.
 
New Territory
After four seasons of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Cougars enter their first season of NCAA Division II competition in 2015-16. CSUSM is currently in the second year of a three-year transition to full NCAA Division II membership. As a part of the transition, the Cougars will be ineligible for postseason play in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

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.