SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The RV Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team (16-4, 13-2 CCAA) held on for a 69-64 victory over visiting Cal State San Bernardino (9-11, 7-8 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon in The Sports Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Ava Ranson – 14 points | 2-of-3 3 FG | 3 rebounds
Jordan Vasquez – 13 points | 13 rebounds | 2 assists | 2 blocked shots
Mina Tameilau – 11 points | 3 rebounds
Katie FitzGerald – 11 points | 1 assist
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cougars trailed 18-12 following the first 10 minute of play.
CSUSM evened the game at 18-all on a pair of Truitt Reilly free throws at 8:20 of the second quarter.
The Cougars took their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Tameilau at the 5:24 mark to make it 26-25.
CSUSM held on to take a 33-31 lead into the halftime break after shooting 37.5% (6-of-16) from the field in the second quarter.
The Coyotes took a 42-35 lead in the third quarter at 5:07 on a Jaida Jackson jumper.
The Cougars came roaring back to take a 47-46 lead on Ava Ranson’s 3-pointer at 1:17.
The teams traded leads with CSUSB taking a 50-49 lead at the end of the third on a last-second layup by Isabel Arango.
A reverse layup by Vasquez evened the game at 59-all at the 3:25 mark of the fourth quarter.
A Ranson 3-pointer from near the top of the key gave CSUSM a 66-62 lead with 1:16 remaining.
San Bernardino answered with a layup by Destiny Jackson to make it 66-64 with 48 seconds on the clock.
A front floater by Charity Gallegos from the free throw line put the Cougars up 68-64 with 27 seconds remaining.
Vasquez sunk the backend of her two free throws to clinch the win at 69-64 with seven seconds on the clock.
FAST BREAK
The Cougars remain in first place in the CCAA standings with a two-game lead over second-place Chico State.
Vasquez collected her 13th double-double of the season (13 pts, 13 reb.) and the 39th of her collegiate career.
The contest had 15 lead changes and eight ties.
CSUSB led for 23:40 while the Cougars were on top for 12:05.
CSUSM outrebounded the Coyotes 43-42 while CSUSB led in offensive boards at 19-13.
CSUSM had twice as many assists at 12-6.
Ranson tallied her third double-digit scoring game of the season with 14 points.
CSUSM continued its domination in the all-time series against the Coyotes at 11-3, extending the win streak to nine games.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will continue their final homestand of the 2023-24 season next Thursday, hosting Cal State Monterey Bay at 5:30 p.m.
