LOS ANGELES – The RV Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (18-6, 15-4 CCAA) fell 76-73 at Cal State LA (14-10, 11-8 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon at University Gym.

TOP PERFORMERS
Jordan Vasquez – 20 points | 18 rebounds | 3 assists
Mina Tameilau – 15 points | 5 rebounds
Charity Gallegos – 13 points | 1 steal

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars took a quick 6-0 lead in the opening minutes.
• The Golden Eagles rallied back to even the game at 11-all before Buckner sunk a 3-pointer from the corner with 5:33 remaining.
• CSULA led 29-23 at the end of the first quarter with the Golden Eagles shooting 78.6% (11-of-14) to CSUSM's 64.3% (9-of-14).
• CSUSM opened the second quarter on a 10-5 run capped by a Vasquez layup to cut the gap to one point at 34-33 with 3:53 remaining.
• The Cougars trailed 41-38 at the halftime break after closing the CSULA lead to one point numerous times but were unable to tie it or take the lead again.
• CSUSM shot 48.4% (15-of-31) in the first half to CSULA's 50% (16-of-32)
• The difference was one 3-pointer as the Golden Eagles connected on four while the Cougars made three in the first 20 minutes.
• CSUSM played catch-up the entire third quarter as CSULA extended its lead to 54-46 on a pull-up jumper by Nicole Flennaugh.
• A pair of made free throws by Katie FitzGerald at 1:19 remaining in the third quarter cut CSULA's lead to 58-53.
• The Golden Eagles took a 63-55 lead in to the final 10 minutes of play.
• A Truitt Reilly 3-pointer cut the lead to 76-73 with 54 seconds remaining.
• CSUSM was unable to convert a 3-pointer to tie the game in the final minute.

FAST BREAK

• With three games remaining in the regular season, the Cougars have a one-game lead over second-place Chico State for first place in the CCAA standings.
• Vasquez collected her 15th double-double of the season (20 pts, 18 reb.) and the 41st of her collegiate career.
• CSUSM saw its 11-game win streak against CSULA snapped.
• The last time CSUSM fell to CSULA was on Dec. 19, 2017 in a 52-46 decision in Los Angeles.
• The Cougars still lead 12-6 in the all-time series against the Golden Eagles.
• CSULA got 30 points from its bench to CSUSM's 13.
• The Golden Eagles led for 82% (32:49) of the time including the entire second half while CSUSM was on top for 13% (5:13).
• Both teams committed 11 turnovers in the contest.

UP NEXT
The Cougars will continue their five-game road trip to close out the 2023-24 season next week with a stop at Cal State East Bay on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m.