LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team sunk 23-of-25 (92.0 percent) at the free throw line to defeat Azusa Pacific, 79-61, in the UC San Diego Thanksgiving Classic opener on Friday afternoon.
 
CSUSM (3-1) shot a season-best 47.2 percent from the field compared to APU's (2-4) 37.5 percent.
 
For the second time this season, four CSUSM Cougars' scored in double digits. Senior Ashley Jenkins tallied 16 points while dishing out a team-best seven assists. Senior Dee Armenta also notched 16 points, making 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point arc. Juniors Savannah Camp and Allie Tobie added 15 and 12 points, respectively. Junior Monica Friedl pulled down a team-high five boards. Junior Lupe Cruz blocked three APU shots.
 
After trailing 16-14 in the opening quarter, CSUSM held APU to just eight points in the second quarter while scoring 17 points to take a 31-24 lead into the break.  CSUSM's offense exploded in the final quarter, notching 27 points to clinch the victory.
 
APU's Abigail Goodsell registered a game-high 24 points.
 
The UCSD Thanksgiving Classic continues Saturday as the Cougars take on Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m.