[VIEW GAME RESULTS]

SEASIDE --- A late 6-0 run lifted the Cal State Monterey Bay women to an 83-79 victory over visiting Cal Baptist University in the basketball team's season home opener Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Otter Sports Center.

 The Otters trailed most of the game. They were down 39-34 at halftime and had not cut into that deficit midway through the second half. But a three-point basket by Alma Lopez, who led all scorers with 21 points, brought CSUMB within two, 63-65, and 9:14 left to play.  

Backup Cal State Monterey Bay guard Brittany Kikuchi scored just two baskets in the game, but the first, a soft jumper from the baseline, put the Otters ahead 73-72 with 4:39 to play. Her next basket, a running jumper in the key,  finished the 6-0 run, making it 77-72 with 3:22. The Lancers battled back and were able to get within a point, but late scores by Dana Andrews (11 points), Lopez, and Ja'nae Westmoreland (8 points) helped the Otters hang on to the win.

Twenty-one is a season high for Lopez, who took just 11 shots and made seven. She was 4-5 from three-point range and made 3-4 free throws. Lopez, the point guard, even led the team in rebounds (8) and had two assists.

Guard Jeanine Deano scored 20 on 5-18 shooting to lead the Lancers from Riverside. Bryana Williams led CBU with 7 rebounds and was second in scoring with 11. As a team, the Lancers shot just 36.5 percent. The Otters, however, shot 46.9 percent and made 16-30 in the second half. The team shot even better from three-point range, hitting 4 of 8.

Next week the Otters are on the road again, playing at the Great Western Shootout in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team plays Western Washington on Tuesday and Central Washington on Wednesday.