BELLINGHAM – 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.
