BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 12/17 Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (2-0) opened the 2022 West Region Crossover Classic with a 70-62 victory over Seattle Pacific (0-1) on Friday afternoon in Bellingham, Washington.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Kelsey Forrester – 16 points | 5-of-10 FG | 2 assists
Dynnah Buckner – 12 points | 4 rebounds | 4 steals
Kate Carlson – 5 points | 5 rebounds | 5 assists | 2 blocked shots
Charity Gallegos – 10 points | 4-of-7 FG | 2-of-3 3FG
Shasta Parker – 7 points | 7 rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A 3-pointer by Forrester with 1:17 remaining cut CSUSM's deficit to 15-14 for the final bucket of the first quarter.
• After trading baskets to open the second quarter, the Cougars went on a 7-2 run to take a 23-19 lead capped by a Mina Tameilau layup at 7:28.
• CSUSM hit four consecutive 3-pointers to take a 37-25 lead at the 2:52 mark.
• The Cougars outscored the Falcons 28-14 in the second quarter to close out the first half with a 42-29 lead.
• After shooting just 35.7% (5-of-14) in the opening quarter, CSUSM answered with a 64.7 (11-of-17) field-goal percentage performance in the second quarter.
• An old-fashion 3-point play by Tameilau gave CSUSM its largest lead of the game at 53-33 with 3:45 remaining in the third quarter.
• The Cougars concluded the third quarter with a 57-40 lead over SPU.
• Three unanswered 3-pointers by the Falcons cut CSUSM's lead to single digits at 57-48 with 6:46 remaining in the game.
• SPU's late rally came up just short as the Cougars took the Falcons' season opener away with a 70-62 victory.
• In the fourth quarter, the Falcons shot 47.4% (9-of-19) from the field while the Cougars were held to just 36.4% (4-of-11).
   

FAST BREAKS

• CSUSM went 10-of-13 (76.9%) at the free throw line while SPU only went to the line five times, making three.
• SPU's Anna Eddy led all scorers with 26 points.
• The Cougars committed six fewer turnovers (11-17) while scoring 17 points off SPU's turnovers.
• SPU outrebounded CSUSM 40-33 with the Falcons claiming 15 offensive boards to the Cougars' nine.
• The Cougars' bench outscored the Falcons 24-16.
• Parker's seven rebounds were a career best.
• The game featured eight lead changes and one tie with CSUSM leading for 35:21 while SP had it for 3:58.
• CSUSM is now 2-0 in the all-time series against the Falcons.
   

UP NEXT
The Cougars will close out the 2022 West Region Crossover on Saturday, Nov. 19 when they face host No. 2/1 Western Washington at 1 p.m.