December 13, 2009

Box Score

ATHERTON, Calif. – Senior #Veronica Williams# recorded her first double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team to a 68-65 overtime victory over the Menlo College Oaks on Sunday night at Haynes-Prim Pavilion.

The Otters take a 5-1 overall record into the holiday break.

Senior #Helen Suarez# finished with 17 points and three assists.  Junior #Julie Heurung# posted nine points and nine rebounds. 

“I have to give Menlo credit for they really came to play tonight,” said head coach #Renee Jimenez#. “They threw the first punch which knocked us on our heels a bit in the first half.”

CSUMB took awhile to find its rhythm in the first half as Menlo jumped out an 18-5 lead.  The Otters battled back prior to the halftime break as Menlo held a 22-16 advantage.

The Otters took its first lead of the game, 36-34 on a three-pointer from Suarez at the 13:13 mark.  Junior #Lindsay Trout#'s three-pointer 30 seconds later extended the Otters lead to 39-34.

CSUMB held the lead for nine minutes.  The Oaks tied the game at 50-50 on a jumper by Gianna Covarelli.  

The final minute became of game of free throws with Menlo tying it 56-56 with a second remaining.

CSUMB dominated the overtime period that began with a three-pointer by Williams.

The Oaks were led by Covarelli with 16 points and Katelyn Guild pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

“I thought my guys did a great job at staying locked in the game and staying together as a team,” Jimenez said. “Once we learn to put 40 minutes together, we're going to be tough to beat.”

“We're excited to go into this finals week break 5-1,” Jimenez said. “But we are not satisfied and we're not done yet!”

The Otters host Dominican University on Monday, December 28 at the Otter Sports Center.  Tip-off is 7 p.m.