LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino women's basketball team defeated the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles Saturday afternoon at University Gymnasium by the score of 67-61.
With the win, the Coyotes are 10-11 with a 9-7 record in CCAA play.
CSUSB opened the game with an and-one layup by graduate student Tarryn Ross (Garden Grove, Calif.). After a defensive stop, senior Deannah Buckner (Rialto, Calif.) followed up with a three-pointer, helping the Coyotes jump out to a 13-2 lead. Graduate student Lauryn Morris (Irvine, Calif.) added six more points, however, Cal State LA responded with a 16-4 run over the next six minutes, ending the quarter with an 18-17 lead.
CSUSB bounced back in the second quarter. Graduate student Jaida Jackson (Moreno Valley, Calif.) hit a three-pointer to put the Coyotes back on top. Freshman Princess Cassell added another three as part of the run. The Yotes reached their largest lead of the half at 35-24 after back-to-back threes by Morris. The Golden Eagles closed the gap with an 8-2 run, and CSUSB held a 37-32 lead at halftime.
Cal State LA opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run, but the Coyotes answered with a 14-2 spurt of their own to take a 53-45 lead. Consecutive layups by sophomore Citlali Salazar (Los Angeles, Calif.) tied the game at 43-43. Cassell and Ross each hit a three-pointer, extending the lead to 53-45. CSUSB would hold a 56-50 lead entering the final 10 minutes.
The Coyotes opened the quarter with another and-one opportunity, this time from Jackson, extending their lead to 59-50. The Golden Eagles closed the gap to four points on a couple of occasions, but CSUSB responded with key buckets to push the score to 67-59, one by Salazar, and one by Jackson. Despite a quieter offensive period, the Coyotes' defense remained strong, allowing just 11 points in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, CSUSB made several crucial stops, highlighted by a steal from Buckner, who finished with four steals, and a defensive rebound by Morris - her 10thof the game—which, along with her 12 points, secured her ninth double-double of the season.
Up next, CSUSB heads back home to face Cal State San Marcos on Thursday. Tip-off at Coussoulis Arena is slated for 5:30 p.m.
#GoYotes
