SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to No. 14/No. 19 UC San Diego, 54-52, in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action on Saturday afternoon at The Sports Center.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Stephanie Custodio – 15 points | 3 rebounds | 1 steal
Jon'Nae Vermillion – 12 points | 8 rebounds
Dynnah Buckner – 10 points | 1 assist
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars came out of the gate shooting 57.1 percent from the field in the first quarter to take an 18-9 lead. CSUSM held the Tritons to a 17.6 field goal percentage, tallying two blocked shots and two steals.
• CSUSM held on to the lead into the break at 24-17 with 7-of-8 Cougars recording points.
• The Tritons opened the second half with a 7-0 run to even the game at 24-24.
• After UCSD took a 31-26 lead, the Cougars charged back to retake the lead at 32-31 on a Custodio layup and one.
• The Cougars took a 38-36 lead into the final quarter.
• UCSD evened the game at 40-40, but back-to-back buckets by Vermillion and Baylee Olsen gave the Cougars a four-point lead with 6:34 remaining in the game.
• With 1:45 on the clock, Dynnah Buckner sunk a jumper to give CSUSM a 52-50 lead.
• UCSD's Mikayla Williams answered with a jumper from the top of the key to even it once again at 52-52.
• A drive to the basket for a layup by UCSD's Julia Macabuhay with two seconds remaining gave the Tritons the win at 54-52.

 
FAST BREAKS

• The Cougars fall to 5-2 overall (2-1 CCAA) while the nationally-ranked Tritons remain undefeated at 7-0 (3-0 CCAA).
• The game consisted of five lead changes and four ties while CSUSM led for 32:40 of the 40 minutes. The contest was tied for 4:55 and UCSD was on top for only 2:25 minutes.
• CSUSM held the advantage in rebounds (39-37) and assists (5-2). UCSD forced CSUSM to commit 13 turnovers while tallying five blocked shots to the Cougars' four.
• The Cougars shot 40.0 percent from the field while holding the Tritons to a 33.9 field goal percentage.
• UCSD's Mikayla Williams recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds while playing the full 40 minutes.

 
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their four-game homestand next Saturday, Dec. 8 when they host San Francisco State in The Sports Center. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.