SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (7-12, 4-10 CCAA) dropped an 83-69 decision to UC Merced (7-14, 4-10 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon at The Sports Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Sydney Hani – 21 points | 10 rebounds | 4-of-6 3FG | 1 assist | 1 blocked shot
Kaity Haan – 10 points | 6 rebounds | 2 assists | 1 blocked shot | 1 steal
Maddie Leiva – 12 points | 4-of-11 3-point field goals | 2 assists | 1 steal
Portia Polo – 9 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM opened the game with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a Sydney Hani 3-pointer at the 8:12 mark of the first quarter.
- Maddie Leiva's triple at 4:44 pushed the Cougars ahead 13-7, their largest lead of the opening period.
- UC Merced answered with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 15-15 with 2:02 remaining, but CSUSM carried a 19-17 advantage into the second quarter.
- The Cougars caught fire in the second, shooting 64.7% (11-of-17) from the field and 50.0% (5-of-10) from three to take a 46-37 lead into the halftime break, while UC Merced shot 50.0% (7-of-14) in the period.
- CSUSM extended its lead to 14 points at 51-37 on a Hani layup with 7:40 left in the third quarter.
- The Bobcats responded with an 11-0 run and grabbed their first lead at 56-55 on a Sarina Nagra 3-pointer with 2:06 remaining in the third.
- UC Merced carried that 56-55 edge into the fourth and outscored CSUSM 27-14 in the final period.
- The Bobcats shot 55.6% (5-of-9) from the field and 83.3% (15-of-18) at the free-throw line in the fourth to pull away.
QUICK HITS
- UC Merced held a narrow rebounding advantage, 38-34, despite Sydney Hani's game-high 10 boards.
- Hani tallied her second consecutive and fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- CSUSM forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 16 points, while committing 10 turnovers of its own.
- The Cougars' bench outscored the Bobcats' reserves 22-9, led by Leiva's 12 points.
- CSUSM shot 39.1% (25-of-64) from the field and 31.4% (11-of-35) from three-point range, while UC Merced finished at 43.9% (25-of-57) overall and 40.7% (11-of-27) from deep.
- The Cougars went 8-of-9 (88.9%) at the free-throw line compared to 22-of-30 (73.3%) for the Bobcats.
UP NEXT
CSUSM remains home to continue CCAA play, hosting No. 13 Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at The Sports Center.
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