SAN BERNADINO, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team put together a balanced offense to record a 65-61 victory at Cal State San Bernardino in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contest on Saturday night in Coussoulis Arena.
 
The Cougars improve to 9-8 overall and 6-6 in conference action while the Coyotes fall to 9-5, 6-4 in CCAA play.
 
"We are on the verge of being a team that wins by 15, some nights even 20, depending on who we are playing," said head coach Renee Jimenez. "But with so much inexperience competing in the CCAA, we are trying to get them to understand that not only do you have to bring it every night, but you have to bring it for 40 minutes, not 35, not 30, but the entire game. They have worked through some really tough losses recently and we needed this one badly. I thought they locked in, focused and got the win. I am so proud of them."
 
Junior forward Monica Friedl and junior guard Raegan Lillie each tallied 13 points for CSUSM. Senior guard Dee Armenta and junior forward Savannah Camp chipped in nine points apiece. Junior forward Lupe Cruz blocked five Coyote shots and Friedl knocked down four to become No. 1 and No. 2 in the CSUSM single game record books.
 
With a 35-31 lead after the first half, the Cougars saw their lead diminish as CSUSB got on top at 38-37 on a 3-pointer by Leelee Owens almost three minutes into the quarter. CSUSM responded by closing out the quarter with a 19-5 run for a 56-43 advantage with 10 minutes to go.
 
The Coyotes put together a strong comeback, knotting the game twice with the second coming with 22 seconds left on the clock. But CSUSM prevailed thanks to Friedl and Jenkins each making a pair of free throws.
 
CSUSB's Mya Johnson recorded a game-high 16 points and 20 rebounds in the contest.
 
The Cougars are back in The Sports Center on Thursday, Jan. 26 when they host San Francisco State at 5:30 p.m.