HAYWARD, Calif. – The No. 14/RV Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team (20-4, 17-3 CCAA) secured a CCAA Tournament bye to the semifinals with its 64-53 victory at Cal State East Bay (12-12, 9-11 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon in Pioneer Gym.
TOP PERFORMERS
Charity Gallegos – 19 points | 6-of-11 FG | 4-of-7 3FG | 7 rebounds
Mina Tameilau – 18 points | 6-of-10 FG | 2 assists
Jordan Vasquez – 10 points | 10 rebounds
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUSM held a 19-14 lead following the first quarter with 10 of its points coming in the paint.
A layup by Kate Carlson with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter, evening the game at 27-all, was the final bucket of the first half.
The Cougars held a slight edge in shooting at 40.7% (11-of-27) to CSEUB’s 38.7% (12-of-31) in the first 20 minutes.
Vasquez scored all 10 of her points in the first half to lead the Cougars.
A Tameilau jumper put CSUSM up for good, making it 31-29 with 8:44 on the clock in the third quarter.
The Cougars closed out the third quarter with a 49-41 lead after Gallegos sunk a 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining.
CSUSM made it a double-digit lead and held it to the end on an 8-1 run capped by a Kelsey Forrester made free throw with 2:50 remaining to make it 58-48.
FAST BREAKS
The Cougars ended the day shooting 42.9% (21-of-49) to East Bay’s 35.4% (23-of-65).
CSUSM led for 27:59 of the game while the Pioneers were on top for only 6:48.
The Cougars scored 12 points off fast breaks to CSUEB’s three.
CSUSM dominated the boards, finishing 41-30.
Vasquez tallied her third double-double in four games, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Gallego’s 19 points were a season best and fifth highest in her collegiate career.
With the win, CSUSM evened the all-time series at 8-8 against the Pioneers.
This marks the first season series sweep by either team since the Cougars achieved it during the 2018-19 season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars close out their regular season next week, beginning with a matchup against Cal Poly Humboldt (9-14, 7-12 CCAA) on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
