SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball trailed by as much as 11 points, but came back to defeat Sonoma State by a final score of 58-49 in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchup, Saturday at The Sports Center.
 
CSUSM wins its third straight and improves to 11-8 overall and 8-6 in conference play. SSU drops to 10-8 overall and 6-6 in the CCAA.
 
The Cougars shot 42.3 percent (22-52) from the field, 26.3 percent (5-19) from behind the arc and 60 percent (9-15) from the charity stripe. The Seawolves were 34.4 percent (21-61) on field goals, 21.4 percent (3-14) on 3-pointers and 66.7 percent (4-6) from the free throw line. CSUSM won the rebound battle 37-26, but lost the turnover battle 19-16. The Cougars compiled 10 blocks as a team, one shy of tying the school record for most rejections in a game.
 
Senior guard Dee Armenta and junior guard Savannah Camp led CSUSM with 14 points each. Senior guard Ashley Jenkins had seven points and seven assists. Junior forward Lupe Cruz amassed 10 rebounds and five blocks, both game-highs. Carly Gill was SSU's leading scorer with 15 points.
 
The Cougars started slow and trailed 27-17 at halftime. CSUSM went 6-of-26 from the field in the first two quarters.
 
The Cougars had a much better second half shooting the ball, scoring 41 points on 61.5 percent (16-26) shooting. CSUSM outscored the Seawolves 16-11 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to five points, 38-33, heading into the final period.
 
The Cougars kept chipping away at the SSU lead in the fourth, and took their first lead since a 2-0 advantage at the beginning of the game on an Armenta 3-pointer, 49-47, with 3:42 remaining. CSUSM closed the game with a 9-2 run from there to prevail by nine points.
 
The Cougars will play an exhibition game against CETYS Universidad-Mexicali on Friday, Feb. 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CSUSM's next CCAA matchup will be on the road at Stanislaus State on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.