SEASIDE, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino women's basketball team defeated the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters Thursday evening at the Kelp Bed by the score of 78-59.

With the win, the Coyotes improve to 15-11 overall and 14-7 in CCAA play.

The Otters held a slim 3-2 lead four minutes into the game, but CSUSB quickly responded by scoring on their next three possessions to take an 8-3 advantage, first by a jumper by graduate student Lauryn Morris (Irvine, Calif.), who ended just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, and layups by senior Deannah Buckner (Rialto, Calif.) and sophomore Citlali Salazar (Los Angeles, Calif.), respectively.

Senior Rae McCrae (Sacramento, Calif.) then stepped up, scoring six points in the final minutes of the first quarter to help the Coyotes extend their lead to 20-9. A last-second three-pointer by graduate student Jaida Jackson (Moreno Valley, Calif.) capped off a strong quarter, giving CSUSB a 23-9 lead heading into the second.

The Coyotes continued to control the game in the second quarter. Graduate student Tarryn Ross (Garden Grove, Calif.) contributed two quick baskets to extend the lead to 28-15. Buckner then stole the ball and converted a fast-break layup, adding to her impressive performance. Buckner finished with a team-high 17 points and four steals, both of which matched her season highs. The Coyotes went into halftime with a 41-27 lead after a three-pointer by graduate student Paisley Specht (Sacramento, Calif.).

CSUSB maintained its lead in the third quarter, with senior Mia Dufresne (Torrance, Calif.) scoring the first bucket of the half for the Coyotes. Dufresne finished with 14 points, trailing only Buckner for CSUSB. The third quarter ended with another three-pointer for the Yotes, this time by Buckner.

In the fourth quarter, CSUSB continued to build its advantage, scoring on five consecutive possessions at one point, effectively sealing the win for the Coyotes.

With this victory, the Coyotes set a new benchmark for wins in a season under head coach Casandra Renno, with 15 and counting. The 14 CCAA victories also tie the most since the 2014-15 season, with one game remaining. Additionally, CSUSB had its best shooting performance of the season, shooting 34-for-65 (52.3 percent) from the field, including 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) from distance.

Up next, CSUSB faces off against Stanislaus State in the regular season finale on the road on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.

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