January 22, 2010

Box Score

SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team fell 59-57 to the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino on Friday night at the Kelp Bed.

Both teams are now 6-4 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. CSUMB is 10-3 overall while the Coyotes are 10-4 on the season.

Senior #Helen Suarez# led the Otters with 15 points and junior #Julie Heurung# added 14 points.  Junior #Michelle Santizo# and freshman #Holly Holcomb# along with Suarez pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

The Coyotes dominated the first half, taking a 35-23 lead at the break.

The Otters came out of the break on fire with a 15-2 run to take the lead for the first time in the game, 38-37.  In the first ten minutes of the second half, CSUMB's defense held the Coyotes to only 6.3 (1-16) percent shooting from the field.

After a seven point lead, CSUMB committed three turnovers to let CSUSB back in the game.

The Coyotes retook the lead on a 3-pointer by Krystal Urzua, but the Otters answered with a trey of their own when senior Lindsay Trout connected to make it 47-45 CSUMB.

In the final six minutes of play, there were three tied scores with CSUSB coming out on top. Two free throws followed by a 3-pointer by CSUSB's Morgan Pryor gave the Coyotes a 57-53 lead with 51 seconds remaining. Suarez's connected on a 3-pointer with 39 second left closed the gap to 57-55.

Santizo drove in for an open layup to make it 58-57. Boone made the front-end of her free-throw to give the Coyotes a 59-57 victory.

The Coyotes were led by Urzua with 16 points while Nikki Boone chipped in 15 points.

The Otters return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 23, hosting Cal Poly Pomona at 5:30 p.m.