SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 21/NR Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team (14-3, 11-2 CCAA) pulled out an 81-78 win over Cal State San Bernardino (10-10, 5-9 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon in The Sports Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jordan Vasquez – 17 points | 6 rebounds | 2 blocked shots
Kelsey Forrester – 17 points | 5-of-5 3FG | 5 rebounds
Dynnah Buckner – 16 points | 3 assists | 2 steals
Katie FitzGerald – 10 points | 6-of-6 FT
HOW IT HAPPENED
Down 18-9 with 3:29 remaining in the first quarter, the Cougars turned on their jets to finish the opening 10 minutes with a 22-21 lead on Katie FitzGerald’s layup with one second on the clock.
CSUSM dominated in the second quarter, outscoring the Yotes 24-12 behind a 53.3% from the field and holding CSUSB to 29.4%.
San Bernardino came out of the halftime break on fire, shooting 75% (9-of-12) to close the gap to 60-54 entering the final 10 minutes of play.
A free throw by Destiny Jackson with 6:18 on the clock evened the game at 66-all in the fourth quarter.
The Cougars responded with a 3-pointer by Forrester in front of the Cougar bench to put CSUSM up 69-66 at the six minute mark.
An old-fashion 3-point play by Jackson put CSUSB within one point at 70-69 with 3:32 on the clock.
The Cougars built up a four-point lead once again on a layup and two made free throws by Dynnah Buckner before a 3-pointer by Nikki Mayoral from behind the NBA line made it 77-76 with 41 seconds remaining.
Forrester’s two free throws with eight seconds left made it 79-76.
A CSUSM foul was called on Destiny Jackson’s 3-point attempt, sending her to the line where she made the first two before the third bounced off the rim, making it 79-78 with two seconds on the clock.
Dynnah Buckner’s two made free throws with time retired secured the 81-78 victory for CSUSM.
FAST BREAKS
With five 3-pointers in the game, Forrester raised her career total to 210 and is now 16 3-pointers away from tying the CCAA record of 226 held by Chico State’s Maddy Wong.
Twenty-eight of CSUSM’s 81 points came from the free throw line as the Cougars shot 84.8% (28-of-33). The Yotes went 52.9% (9-of-17) at the charity stripe.
San Bernardino held the advantage in shooting, finished with 56.1% (32-of-57) from the field to CSUSM’s 47.1% (24-of-51).
The rebound contest finished in a stalemate at 29-all.
CSUSM turned over the ball only 12 times to CSUSB’s 14.
The Cougars’ 81 points were the most scored this season.
CSUSB’s 29 rebounds tied the lowest recorded by a CSUSM opponent this season as Sonoma State tallied 29 on Jan. 12.
With Chico State handing Cal State Dominguez Hills its first loss of the season, the Cougars are now one game behind the Toros in the CCAA standings.
The Cougars led the entire second half as the Yotes only tied the score one time.
Head Coach Renee Jimenez joined David Gentile to discuss CSUSM’s 81-78 win over Cal State San Bernardino. #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/dGIH13solc
– CSUSM Women’s Basketball (@CSUSM_WBB) January 29, 2023
UP NEXT
The Cougars will take to the road next week, heading to Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday, Feb. 2 for a 5:30 p.m. game.
