Box Score: No. 19 CSUMB 60, Coyotes 58

HAYWARD -- Julie Heurung's basket with no time remaining gave top-seed and 19th-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay a 60-58 victory over the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament semfinal.

The Otters, 26-2 overall, now moves on to face second-seed Cal Poly Pomona in the championship game Saturday night.

With the game tied at 58-58 with 22 seconds left, CSUMB had what seemed to be the final possession in regulation.  Heurung held the ball and went up for the shot with less than five seconds remaining. She got the rebound and put the ball up and it dropped through the net for the game-winner.

There was some question as to whether the light came on before the ball left her hands, but the game ended with CSUMB advancing to the title game.

Senior Eisha Sheppard scored a game-high and season-high 25 points and tied the game at 58 when she hit a jumper after the Coyotes (21-7) trailed by five with 2:22 remaining.

This was a big night for Sheppard, who was held to less than 10 points in each of the Coyotes' two regulars-season games against the Otters in which they lost by 19 and 17 points.

But the Victorville native was the story of the game as she finished 10 of 20 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the free throw line.

Jessica Dela Cruz hit the first 3-pointer by either team with 1:40 left to pull the Coyotes to within two points at 56-54.

After a CSUMB timeout, Sheppard was called for a foul before the Otters inbounded the ball. Michelle Santizo hit the first of two free throws to push her club to a three-point lead with 1:18 left.

Sheppard then worked her way down the court and hit a layup and CSUSB was down by a point, 57-56 with 1:09 left.

Santizo then missed a 3-pointer and the Coyotes' Danielle Shows was called for the foul, sending Heurung to the line with 40 seconds left. She hit the second of two free throws and the Otters clung to a 58-56 lead.

That set-up Sheppard's game-tying shot with 22 seconds.

The Coyotes will now await Sunday's NCAA Tournament annoucement. They hope to make the eight-team West Region field. They have been inside the West's top eight through each poll this regular season.

The field will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at www.ncaasports.com.