TURLOCK, Calif.--- In a battle of two of the top teams in the CCAA, it was the visiting Cal State San Marcos Cougars (8-3, 5-1 CCAA) defeating the Stan State Warriors 71-61 at The Fitz. The Cougars held the Warriors to just 31.6% shooting from the field. Despite the loss, Stan State held its visitors to just 34.5%.
FIRST QUARTER: Charity Gallegos' trey gave the Cougars the early 11-4 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Cal State San Marcos increased its lead to 17-9 on a made free throw by Mina Tameilau.
Iman Addison's free throw cut the Cougar lead to 17-10 heading into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER: Ava Ranson's lay-up increased the Cougar lead to 21-10 two minutes into the second quarter. With four minutes left in the half, Charity Gallegos' lay-up gave the Cougars a 29-14 lead. Free throws by
Aunika Hornung and
Mya Blake cut the Warrior deficit to 29-16 heading into the half.
THIRD QUARTER: Stan State (10-6, 5-1 CCAA) started the second half on a mini 4-1 run to cut the deficit to 30-20. Malia Mastora's trey capped a 12-4 run by the Cougars as they took a 42-24 lead at the 3:46 mark of the third quarter. The Warriors didn't go away as they cut the Cougar lead to 44-30 on a
Jadyn Patterson lay-up. Malia Mastora's two free throws increased the guests' lead to 50-34 heading into the final quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER: Back-to-back jumpers by
Liliana Marques and
Mya Blake made it
CSUSM 53-40 with 7:33 to go in the game. An old-fashioned three-point play by Jordan Vasquez mid-way through the quarter capped an 8-1 run by the Cougars as they took a 61-40 lead. Marques' three capped a 17-4 run by the Warriors as they cut their deficit to 65-57 with just 40 seconds on the clock. The Cougars outscored the hosts 5-3 in the final seconds to take the 70-60 CCAA victory.
BATTLE OF THE BOARDS: Stan State won the battle of the boards 44-40 with
Aunika Hornung's eight rebounds leading the way.
Taylor Pilot added six rebounds and three Warriors had five rebounds each in
Joia Armstrong,
Liliana Marques, and
Iman Addison.
SWAT THAT SHOT: The Warriors had five blocked shots this evening.
Aunika Hornung had three blocked shots.
Iman Addison and
Alexis Woodson each had one blocked shot.
UP NEXT: Stan State continues its brief two-game home stand this Saturday, January 6 with a 1pm scheduled tip-off with Sonoma State at The Fitz on Golden Valley Health Center Day. Sonoma State lost 74-70 at Cal State Monterey Bay this evening in Seaside.
