ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 26, 2016) — The Coyotes saved their best for last and pulled out an improbable 73-69 victory over Northwest Nazarene in nonconference women's basketball Saturday afternoon.
 
Mya Johnson scored a game-high 24 points and Norissa Sanders added 15 as CSUSB improved to 3-1 overall heading into the CCAA opener Wednesday night at Cal State San Marcos. Sabrea Coleman was the only other Coyote in double figures with 12.
 
Trailing 68-62 with 1:11 remaining in the game, Johnson got the rally going with a pair of free throws. Courtney Coleman forced an NNU turnover and she drove to the basket for a layup. Her effort was off, but teammate Ashley Carson followed with a put-back basket and was fouled. She converted the three-point play and the Coyotes drew within a point (68-67) with 54 seconds left.
 
NNU again turned the ball over without a shot, and Carson was fouled. She hit the front end of a two-shot foul and the Coyotes and Crusaders were tied at 68-apiece with 20 seconds left.
 
On NNU's next possession, Carson again came through late with a steal of her own, and then fed the ball to Coleman, who drained a 3-pointer and CSUSB had a 71-68 lead with 12 seconds left.
 
All told, a 9-0 run inside 59 seconds.
 
Marina Valles cut the Coyotes' lead to two, but Sanders finished off the night with two free throws and CSUSB had its come-from-behind victory.
 
The Coyotes overcame 30 turnovers of their own with a decided 25-11 edge at the free throw line.
 
Six straight free throws in the first quarter – four from Johnson and two from Sanders — helped the Coyotes in their 27-14 lead with 1:40 remaining in the opening quarter.
 
NNU dropped to 2-2.