ARCATA, Calif. – The No. 23/17 Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team posted a come-from-behind 59-56 overtime victory at Humboldt State on Thursday to move into a tie for first place with Cal State East Bay in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Emma Forel – 16 points | 8-of-11 FG | 11 rebounds
Dynnah Buckner – 12 points | 4 rebounds | 1 blocked shot
Stephanie Custodio – 10 points | 6 rebounds | 4 assists | 2 steals | 2 blocked shots | 42 minutes
Akayla Hackson – 11 points | 4 assists | 2 rebounds
Jon'Nae Vermillion – 8 points | 11 rebounds | 1 assist
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars trailed 25-24 at the halftime break despite outshooting the Jacks 37.9% to 26.7% from the field.
• The Jacks took their largest lead of the game at 41-32 on a 3-pointer by Alexis Thrower at 9:16 in the fourth quarter.
• The Cougars closed the gap to 45-43 on a 3-pointer by Hackson with 3:05 remaining in the game.
• Custodio connected on two more free throws to cap an 8-0 CSUSM run at 48-45 with 21 seconds on the clock.
• HSU's Tyra Turner took the ball to the hoop for a layup to close the gap at 48-47 with 15 seconds remaining.
• Custodio returned to the charity stripe to make the frontend of her two free throws to make it 49-47.
• Turner threw up a hook shot to even the game at 49-all with ten seconds remaining.
• A Hackson 3-pointer for the win at the buzzer was halfway in before spinning out of the basket.
• Vermillion sunk a pair of free throws to begin overtime to put CSUSM up 51-49.
• The Cougars never trailed in overtime, but the Jacks cut CSUSM's lead to one point on three different occasions.
• A Forel jumper in the paint with eight seconds remaining secured the win for CSUSM.

 
FAST BREAKS

• The Cougars improve to 12-2 (7-2 CCAA) while HSU falls to 9-5 (5-4 CCAA).
• This is CSUSM's second overtime victory this season after recording a 62-60 OT win over then-No. 11/11 Minnesota State-Moorhead at the Malika Sports Oahu Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 28.
• Forel collected her second consecutive double-double and third of the season with her 16 points and 11 rebounds.
• Four Cougars reached double digits in scoring. 
• CSUSM led for 13:01 of the game while the Jacks were on top for 29:44.
• The Cougars outrebounded the Jacks, 40-34, while finishing with a 10-8 advantage on offensive boards.
• In the 45 minutes of play, there were 10 lead changes and seven ties.
• Three Jacks played for the entire 45 minutes.
• CCAA scoring and rebounding leader Alexia Thrower finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds.
• The Cougars went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in overtime after going 5-of-10 in regulation.

 
THOUGHTS FROM CSUSM HEAD COACH RENEE JIMENEZ
"Humboldt is always a tough place to play, so to come out with an overtime win here is huge for our confidence and momentum. They did a great job forcing us to really execute offensively and defensively. We had to play a lot of different lineups, and I'm really proud of our kids for sticking it out and adjusting on the fly." 

UP NEXT
The Cougars conclude their first Northern California road trip on Saturday at Stanislaus State. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.