ARCATA, Calif. – The No. 19/11 Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team (22-2) clinched its second-consecutive trip to the CCAA Tournament championship game as the top-seeded Cougars eliminated fifth-seeded Chico State (14-11) with a score of 73-60 victory in the semifinals at Lumberjack Arena on Friday afternoon.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jordan Vasquez – 14 points | 16 rebounds | 5-of-7 FG | 5 assists
Akayla Hackson – 14 points | 12 rebounds | 4 assists
Dynnah Buckner – 11 points | 5-of-10 FG
Kelsey Forrester – 10 points | 3 assists
Sydney Buckley – 10 points | 2 assists | 1 steal
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUSM got out to an early lead, going up 18-11 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 50% (8-of-16) from the field and holding Chico to just 26.3% (5-of-19).
The Cougars went on a 10-0 run that was capped by a Forrester 3-pointer from in front of Chico’s bench, making it 32-13 with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
An old-fashioned 3-point play by Hackson gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game at 20 points (39-19) with two minutes before halftime.
CSUSM improved on its field-goal percentage in the second quarter, banking 61.1% (11-of-18) while keeping the Wildcats to just 26.7% (4-of-15).
The Cougars took a 17-point lead into the break (44-27) with four Cougars scoring seven or more points in the first 20 minutes. Vasquez led all players with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Wildcats opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run, but a Hackson fast break with Dynnah Buckner finishing it with a layup made it 46-31 at the 7:46 mark.
CSUSM saw its lead dwindle to nine points on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Haley Ison with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter. Vasquez answered on the next trip down the court with a layup to give the Cougars a 57-46 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Cougars built their lead once again to 15 on a Hackson free throw with 4:44 remaining in the game.
Chico State charged back to cut the gap to 67-60 on a 3-pointer by Charity Gallegos with 2:38 on the clock.
That would be the last basket by Chico as CSUSM closed out the game on a 6-0 run to clinch the victory.
FAST BREAKS
The Cougars are back in the CCAA Tournament’s championship game after making it for the first time in the 2019-20 season.
CSUSM tallied 17 assists on 27 field goals.
The Cougars outrebounded the Wildcats, 41-35.
Chico State’s six turnovers were the fewest by CSUSM opponent this season.
The Cougars recorded only 10 fouls, their third lowest of the season.
Vasquez recorded her 11th double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Hackson collected her second double-double of the season, ending the game with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Hackson’s 12 rebounds are a CSUSM career best.
Vasquez’s season-best 16 rebounds broke into the top 10 in the CCAA Tournament record book, tying for the seventh most in history.
Prior to today’s game, the conference office presented the Cougars with their 2021-22 CCAA Regular-Season Championship banner.
