No. 16/22 CSUSM Falls in NCAA West Regional Championship to No. 8/6 CSUDH
CARSON, Calif. – The No. 16/22 and third-seeded Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (24-6) saw its historic season come to an end with a 73-51 loss to No. 8/6 and top-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship game on Monday night in the Torodome.
TOP PERFORMERS
Charity Gallegos – 17 points | 4 rebounds | 2 steals
Jordan Vasquez – 13 points | 10 rebounds
Mina Tameilau – 11 points | 6 rebounds
Kate Carlson – 2 points | 4 rebounds
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gallegos got things going with the first bucket of the game – a 3-pointer from the corner.
- CSUSM jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead on a Tameilau reverse layup at 6:30 on the clock.
- A Danyell Booker layup evened the game at 15-all with 2:05 remaining in the first quarter.
- A pair of Vasquez free throws with 12 seconds remaining in the opening quarter put CSUSM up 20-15.
- DH went on a 6-0 run to take a 27-23 lead into a media timeout with 4:45 remaining in the second quarter.
- CSUSM trailed 27-26 at halftime to the Toros.
- After shooting 61.5% (8-of-13) in the first quarter, the Cougars were limited to just 7.7% (1-of-13) in the second quarter.
- The Cougars began the third quarter with Gallegos making a pair of free throws to give CSUSM back the lead at 28-27.
- The Toros answered with a 6-0 run capped by a Dawnyel Lair jumper to take a 35-28 lead.
- After being fouled on a 3-point attempt, Kelsey Forrester sunk three free throws to make it 35-31.
- The Cougars broke through the CSUDH press with Tameilau finishing it with a wide open layup to make it 37-33 with 6:11 on the clock.
- The Toros took a 48-38 lead into the final 10 minutes after shooting 52.9% (9-of-17) while CSUSM shot 23.1% (3-of-13).
- A Gallegos pull-up 3-pointer and two made free throws closed the gap to within 10 at 55-45 with 4:30 remaining.
- The Toros closed out the game with an 18-6 run to clinch the win.
FAST BREAKS
- Charity Gallegos was named to the All-West Region Tournament team.
- CSUSM's 25 wins matched a program high set in 2019-20.
- This was the Cougars' first time competing in the West Regional Championship game.
- Vasquez tallied her sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- CSUDH led for 25:12 of the game while CSUSM was on top for 12:31.
- The Toros outrebounded the Cougars 51-29 with 23 coming on the offensive boards.
Latest Women's Basketball
- Six Cougars Named to CSC Academic All-District TeamWill Harris, Austin Nassar, Dexter Stratton and Donovan Watkins of the Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team and Lucca Lowenberg and Destiny Okonkwo of the Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team on Tuesday.
- Hetrick, Morse Named to 2024-25 CCAA All-Conference TeamRory Hetrick and Rose Morse of the Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team were named to the 2024-25 CCAA All-Conference Team on Tuesday. Hetrick earned first team honors while Morse was an honorable mention.
- CSUSM Falls 80-62 in Season Finale at Chico StateThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (8-20, 8-14 CCAA) dropped an 80-62 decision to Chico State (22-6, 17-5 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon at Acker Gymnasium.
- Johnson's Buzzer Beater Lifts Cougars to 57-55 Victory at HumboldtA Camille Johnson buzzer-beating putback gave Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (8-19, 8-13 CCAA) a 57-55 victory at Cal Poly Humboldt (9-18, 8-13 CCAA) on Thursday night in Lumberjack Arena.
- Cougars to Conclude Season at Humboldt, ChicoThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (7-19, 7-13 CCAA) will wrap up its 2024-25 season this week, traveling to Cal Poly Humboldt (9-17, 8-12 CCAA) for a 5:30 p.m. game on Thursday before heading to Chico State (20-6, 15-5 CCAA) on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tipoff.
- CSUSM Claims 74-52 Win Over Otters on Senior DayThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (7-19, 7-13 CCAA) completed its second season series sweep with a 74-52 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay (3-23, 0-20 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon.