LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team stayed with the previously No. 24-ranked UC San Diego until the final eight minutes before eventually falling 86-66 to the Tritons in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contest on Saturday night.
With the win, the CCAA leading Tritons improve to 16-3 overall and 12-1 in conference play. The Cougars drop to 5-7 in CCAA action (5-11 overall).
Senior Savannah Camp led CSUSM with 14 points. Junior Juliet Jones chipped in 13 points and senior Raegan Lillie added 10 points. Sophomore Chloe Eackles tallied nine points, five assists and two steals.
CSUSM’s largest lead came in the first quarter on sophomore Brianna Porter’s layup that made it a 17-7 ball game with 2:19 on the clock.
The Cougars held the lead for 13:36 of the first half. The Tritons got two uncontested buckets from Kayla Sato and Mikayla Williams in the final 1:25 to give UCSD a 37-33 lead at the break.
After a slow start to the second half, senior Lupe Cruz sank her first-ever attempted 3-pointer in a Cougar uniform to cut UCSD’s lead to 48-47.
A pair of Olsen free throws gave CSUSM its first lead of the second half at 50-49 with 2:45 remaining in the third quarter.
CSUSM and UCSD traded leads a total of 11 times before the Tritons took control in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
UCSD out-rebounded the Cougars, 41-23.
The Tritons were led by Williams’ 24 points. Dalayna Sampton finshed with 21 points.
CSUSM is back in The Sports Center on Thursday, Jan. 25 when the Cougars host Sonoma State. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.
