MERCED, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino women's basketball team defeated the UC Merced Bobcats 58-54 on Sunday afternoon in a CCAA contest at Hostetler Court.
With the win, the Coyotes improve to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in CCAA play.
CSUSB struck first, with sophomore Princess Cassell (Eastvale, Calif.) nailing a three. The Bobcats and Coyotes would end up trading the lead several times throughout much of the quarter, but CSUSB scored five straight points to hold a 15-11 advantage heading into the second quarter.
The Yotes extended their lead to seven on the first possession of the second quarter, thanks to a three-pointer by sophomore Aariah Roa (Los Angeles, Calif.). After that, the offense went quiet, scoring just four points for the remainder of the quarter. On the other end, the defense stepped up, holding UC Merced to just 2-of-17 (11.8 percent) shooting, allowing CSUSB to carry a slim 22-21 lead into halftime.
Offense picked up in the third quarter, with both teams nearly doubling their first-half totals. After the Bobcats regained the lead early in the period, CSUSB did not retake it until senior Rebecca Saidoff (West Hills, Calif.) hit a three-pointer with less than a minute remaining, making it 42-41. UC Merced, however, scored the final basket of the quarter, leaving the Yotes trailing 43-42 heading into the fourth.
CSUSB started the fourth quarter with a 9-1 run. Redshirt junior Riy Smith (Oceanside, Calif.) opened the surge with a layup, followed by a made jumper from junior Sincere Hardwick (San Bernardino, Calif.). Cassell and graduate student Paisley Specht (Sacramento, Calif.) would cap off the run, giving the Yotes a 51-44 lead with 6:16 remaining.
The Bobcats slowly came back, eventually tying the game 53-53 on a three-pointer with 1:20 remaining in the quarter, and took a 54-53 lead after hitting one of two free throws with 50 seconds left.
Saidoff delivered a clutch three with 36 seconds left to give CSUSB a 56-54 lead. On the ensuing possession, Hardwick came up with a steal, and Saidoff nailed a pair of free throws to seal the win.
Cassell led the Coyotes with 14 points, while Saidoff was the only other Coyote in double figures with 10. Cassell and Specht each pulled down eight rebounds.
CSUSB will be off for nearly two weeks before resuming play in the new year at Cal State East Bay on January 2. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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