January 8, 2010

Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Senior #Veronica Williams# had 20 points to help the Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball to a 62-42 victory over Cal State L.A. on Friday night at the Eagles Nest.

The Otters (8-2, 4-2 CCAA) racked up their fourth California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) win while the Golden Eagles fall to 3-8, 1-5 in conference play.

"Tonight was a great defensive effort by our entire team and for our style of play, it starts and ends with our defense," said head coach #Renee Jimenez#. "If you can only give up 24 and 18 points in each half, you are going to win a lot of ball games."

Senior #Helen Suarez# and freshman #Holly Holcomb# each contributed 11 points.  Junior #Julie Heurung# recorded a team-high 12 boards on top of seven points.

CSUMB shot just 35.7 percent from the field but knocked down eight 3-pointers and was 14-for-18 from the free throw line.  The Otters won the battle of the boards, pulling down 38 to CSULA's 27. 

After being down 14-11, CSUMB went on a 17-4 run at the 11:58 mark to open up a 28-18 lead. The Otters held a 33-24 advantage at the break.
 
After CSULA made the first basket of the second half, the Otters scored the next seven points to grab a 14-point lead with 13 minutes remaining. CSUMB led by double-digit margins the rest of the way.

"We have talked a lot about playing for 40 minutes and I thought we really stuck to our game plan which was to lock in, start out fast and finish the game with great poise and confidence," Jimenez said. "When we all play together, we are a very strong team and even a tougher team to beat."

Jazzi Johnson had 11 points and three rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Jordan Kuzma had eight points and four rebounds.

CSUMB travels to Carson on Saturday, Jan 9 to take on the Toros of Dominguez Hills.  Tip-off is 5 p.m.