HAYWARD, Calif. – Overcoming a slow start, the Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team opened California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play with a 68-58 road victory against Cal State East Bay on Saturday afternoon in Pioneer Gymnasium.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Dynnah Buckner – 19 points | 6-of-10 from the field | 1 steal
Jon'Nae Vermillion – 16 points | 7 rebounds | 2 steals | 2 assists
Emma Forel – 9 points | 7 rebounds | 3 steals
Akayla Hackson – 9 points | 7 rebounds | 1 blocked shot
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars trailed the Pioneers 14-6 after the first quarter.
• CSUSM responded with their best quarter this season, outscoring East Bay 25-8 to take a 31-22 lead into the halftime break.
• The Cougars went 9-of-12 (75 percent) from the field and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe in the second frame.
• The second quarter proved to be the determining factor in the game. CSUSM barely won the third quarter 13-12 as both teams knocked down 25 points in the fourth quarter.
• Sixteen of CSUSM's 25 points in the final quarter came off free throws as the Cougars were 89 percent (16-of-18) from the foul line.

 
FAST BREAKS

• The Cougars improve to 4-1 (1-0 CCAA) while the Pioneers drop to 3-3 (0-1 CCAA).
• CSUSM made 26-of-32 (81.3 percent) at the free throw line while CSUEB went 9-of-16 (56.3 percent).
• The Cougars won the battle of the boards 40-32, but CSUSM turned over the ball 23 times to CSUEB's 19.
• The Pioneers had the advantage on the offensive boards at 12-9.
• CSUSM nearly had four in double figures.
• Buckner's 19 points is a career high and only the second time she has reached double-digits.
• CSUEB's Regina Sankey tallied 13 points. 

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM returns to The Sports Center on Thursday to host Humboldt State in the Cougars' CCAA home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.