LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team fought until the very end but fell just short in double overtime to No. 5/7 UC San Diego, 68-67, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchup on Saturday night at RIMAC Arena.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Jon'Nae Vermillion – 12 points |14 rebounds | 2 assists
Emma Forel – 13 points | 11 rebounds | 2 blocked shots
Dynnah Buckner – 13 points | 5 rebounds
Stephanie Custodio – 13 points | 4 assists | 2 steals
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM held a 14-11 lead after the first 10 minutes after keeping UCSD to a 25.0 percent field-goal percentage (4-of-16).
• The Cougars got hot in the second quarter, putting up 24 points to take a 38-24 lead into the break.
• UCSD's defense came out strong in the third quarter, holding the Cougars to only four points while posting 14 to cut CSUSM's lead to 42-38 into the final 10 minutes.
• The Tritons took their first lead of the second half at the 2:19 mark on a free throw by Haleigh Hatfield.
• A Vermillion free throw with four seconds remaining in regulation evened the game at 54-54 and forced the game into overtime.
• Both teams remained scoreless until the 2:31 mark in overtime when UCSD's Kayla Sato sunk the backend of her free throws.
• A layup by Mikayla Williams gave the Tritons a 59-64 lead with one minute remaining.
• Akayla Hackson made a trio of free throws after being fouled behind the arc to cut the gap to 59-57 with 25 seconds on the clock.
• After UCSD made only two of their four free throws, Chloe Eackles connected on a 3-pointer at the top of the arc to cut CSUSM's deficit to 61-60.
• Once again, UCSD only made one of their two free throw attempts to make it 62-60 with seven seconds on the clock.
• Buckner drove up the left side and hit a buzzer-beater layup to take the game into double overtime.
• The second overtime was the exact opposite of the first one with all the scoring happening in the first two minutes and both teams trading leads. 
   

FAST BREAK

• The Cougars drop to 10-5 overall and 7-4 in CCAA action while the Tritons remain undefeated at 15-0, 11-0 CCAA.
• Vermillion collected her sixth double-double (third consecutive) with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
• Forel also registered a double-double, her first of 2019 and fourth this season, with 13 points and 11 rebounds.  
• CSUSM fell by two points to the Tritons on Saturday, Dec. 1, at The Sports Center.
• CSUSM dished out a game-high 12 assists while shooting 77.8 percent (14-of-18) from the free throw line.
• The Tritons blocked 10 shots and outrebounded the Cougars, 58-50.  
• Williams finished with 24 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots for the Tritons.
• This is CSUSM's first overtime loss of the season. The Cougars registered a triple-overtime win (89-87) at CSULA on Dec. 29 and an overtime victory (75-67) against Chico State on Jan. 5 in The Sports Center.

 
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their five-game, three-week road trip next Thursday at Humboldt State. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.