SAN BERNARDINO (Nov. 15, 2016) — A much stronger second half of shooting gave CSUSB a victory in its season opener, winning 69-59 over Concordia-Irvine in nonconference basketball Tuesday night at Coussoulis Arena.
 
Four Coyotes scored in double figures, led by Ashley Carson's 17 points. Leelee Owens added a career-high 13, thanks to three 3-pointers, and Casie Johnson and Mya Johnson each had 12.
 
CSUSB bounced back after hitting just 2 of 17 shots in the second quarter when it fell behind 37-27 at halftime. Owens hit her third three of the first half in the quarter on her only shot attempt. That collective scoring drought allowed the Eagles to outscore CSUSB in the second, 21-7.
 
But Susan Crebbin's team crept back and cut the deficit in half in the third, trailing 50-45 entering the fourth quarter.
 
And that's when CSUSB stepped up and gained control. The Coyotes shot 58 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes, hitting 14 of 24 from the field.
 
A jumper from Carson put CSUSB up 51-50 with 7:40 remaining in the game, its first lead since early in the second quarter. A 14-0 run in the first six minutes of the final quarter proved to be the difference. Carson scored eight points in the run with Owens adding four points.
 
CSUSB also outscored the Eagles from the line, 17-6.
 
The teams totaled 47 turnovers, but CSUSB outscored its foe, 28-16 off those 26 CUI miscues.
 
The Coyotes are at Cal Baptist on Thursday night.