SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The No. 24/16 Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team closed 2019 with a 63-56 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) win against Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday afternoon at Coussoulis Arena.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Jon'Nae Vermillion – 24 points | 8 rebounds | 5 assists
Emma Forel – 17 rebounds | 8 points | 4 assists
Akayla Hackson – 11 points | 2 rebounds
Kelsey Forrester – 9 points | 3-of-4 3FG
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the Coyotes scored the first two points of the game, the Cougars went on an 11-0 run to go up 11-2 as Vermillion made the jumper and free throw with 5:57 to go in the quarter.
• CSUSM held an 18-12 lead over CSUSB after 10 minutes. Vermillion had a game-high five points as the Cougars went 8-of-16 from the field while holding the Coyotes to 5-of-15.
• The Coyotes ended the half on a 7-0 run and cut the Cougars' lead to 29-28 after outscoring CSUSM 16-11 in the second period.
• Vermillion led all players with 11 points while Forel had 12 of the Cougars' 23 rebounds for the half.
• CSUSM and CSUSB were neck and neck in the third period as the Cougars took their largest lead of the quarter at 36-30 after a three by Hackson.
• The Cougars ended the third quarter with a 45-43 lead as Vermillion put up a quarter-high eight points.
• After tying the Cougars multiple times, the Coyotes finally took their second lead of the game at 49-48 as Tehya Burroughs hit a good free throw with 5:25 remaining in the game.
• After Burroughs second free throw put CSUSB up 50-48, two 3-pointers by Forrester and a layup by Forel put CSUSM up 56-50 with 3:31 remaining.
• Dating back to its two-point deficit at 50-48, CSUSM ended the game on 15-6 run.

 
FAST BREAKS

• CSUSM is now 10-1 (5-1 CCAA) – its best start in program history.
• CSUSB dropped to 1-8 (1-5 CCAA).
• The Cougars had the advantage in field-goal percentage (39.7-36.2), rebounds (39-35) and assists (18-15).
• CSUSM led for 33:18 while CSUSB led for just 1:48.
• There were only three lead changes and six tie scores for the entire game.
• Vermillion's 24 points tied last season's career high at Stanislaus State.
• Forel's 17 rebounds were one off last season's career-high total of 18 at Cal State LA.
• Vermillion's point total and Forel's rebound total were the most by a Cougar in either category this season.
• CSUSM's nine turnovers were its second fewest of the season.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM will open the new calendar year by hosting Cal State East Bay on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at The Sports Center.