SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 21/NR Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (14-3, 11-2 CCAA) pulled out an 81-78 win over Cal State San Bernardino (10-10, 5-9 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon in The Sports Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jordan Vasquez – 17 points | 6 rebounds | 2 blocked shots
Kelsey Forrester – 17 points | 5-of-5 3FG | 5 rebounds
Dynnah Buckner – 16 points | 3 assists | 2 steals
Katie FitzGerald – 10 points | 6-of-6 FT
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Down 18-9 with 3:29 remaining in the first quarter, the Cougars turned on their jets to finish the opening 10 minutes with a 22-21 lead on Katie FitzGerald's layup with one second on the clock.
- CSUSM dominated in the second quarter, outscoring the Yotes 24-12 behind a 53.3% from the field and holding CSUSB to 29.4%.
- San Bernardino came out of the halftime break on fire, shooting 75% (9-of-12) to close the gap to 60-54 entering the final 10 minutes of play.
- A free throw by Destiny Jackson with 6:18 on the clock evened the game at 66-all in the fourth quarter.
- The Cougars responded with a 3-pointer by Forrester in front of the Cougar bench to put CSUSM up 69-66 at the six minute mark.
- An old-fashion 3-point play by Jackson put CSUSB within one point at 70-69 with 3:32 on the clock.
- The Cougars built up a four-point lead once again on a layup and two made free throws by Dynnah Buckner before a 3-pointer by Nikki Mayoral from behind the NBA line made it 77-76 with 41 seconds remaining.
- Forrester's two free throws with eight seconds left made it 79-76.
- A CSUSM foul was called on Destiny Jackson's 3-point attempt, sending her to the line where she made the first two before the third bounced off the rim, making it 79-78 with two seconds on the clock.
- Dynnah Buckner's two made free throws with time retired secured the 81-78 victory for CSUSM.
FAST BREAKS
- With five 3-pointers in the game, Forrester raised her career total to 210 and is now 16 3-pointers away from tying the CCAA record of 226 held by Chico State's Maddy Wong.
- Twenty-eight of CSUSM's 81 points came from the free throw line as the Cougars shot 84.8% (28-of-33). The Yotes went 52.9% (9-of-17) at the charity stripe.
- San Bernardino held the advantage in shooting, finished with 56.1% (32-of-57) from the field to CSUSM's 47.1% (24-of-51).
- The rebound contest finished in a stalemate at 29-all.
- CSUSM turned over the ball only 12 times to CSUSB's 14.
- The Cougars' 81 points were the most scored this season.
- CSUSB's 29 rebounds tied the lowest recorded by a CSUSM opponent this season as Sonoma State tallied 29 on Jan. 12.
- With Chico State handing Cal State Dominguez Hills its first loss of the season, the Cougars are now one game behind the Toros in the CCAA standings.
- The Cougars led the entire second half as the Yotes only tied the score one time.
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UP NEXT
The Cougars will take to the road next week, heading to Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday, Feb. 2 for a 5:30 p.m. game.
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