SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino women's basketball team defeated the San Francisco State Gators Sunday afternoon by the score of 69-64 at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
With the victory, the Coyotes pick up their fourth consecutive win and advance to 6-5 overall on the season with a mark of 4-2 in CCAA play.
The Gators jumped out to a narrow 10–9 lead just over four minutes into the game, but CSUSB took control late in the first quarter with a decisive 15–4 run. The Coyotes regained the lead following an and-one by sophomore Princess Cassell (Eastvale, Calif.), sparking a stretch that featured contributions from redshirt sophomore Jaushlynn Ruffin (Lynwood, Calif.), junior Sincere Hardwick (San Bernardino, Calif.), and graduate student Paisley Specht (Sacramento, Calif.). The run was capped by a pair of free throws from redshirt junior Riy Smith (Oceanside, Calif.), as CSUSB closed the opening quarter holding a 24–17 advantage, with Hardwick leading the way, scoring eight points.
San Francisco State limited the Coyotes' offense in the second quarter, as CSUSB shot just 3-for-12 (25.0 percent) and was held to seven points in the period. Despite the scoring slowdown, CSUSB's defense remained solid, allowing the Coyotes to carry a 31–28 lead into halftime.
The Gators continued their defensive pressure in the third quarter, holding CSUSB in check and briefly building a five-point advantage. The Coyotes responded late in the frame, regaining momentum and edging ahead 47–46 at the end of the quarter.
After San Francisco State momentarily reclaimed the lead early in the fourth, CSUSB answered with a 9–0 run to go up 58–50, led by Cassell and Smith. The Gators chipped away at the deficit, but it proved too little, too late, as senior Rebecca Saidoff (West Hills, Calif.) knocked down four free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Cassell led all scorers with 26 points, marking the highest single-game scoring performance by a CSUSB women's basketball player this season. She also tallied five steals, the third time this season a Coyote has reached that mark. Hardwick added a season-high 16 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double, with nine.
Up next, CSUSB returns home to face Cal State San Marcos on Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.
#GoYotes
