March 2, 2010

Box Score

ARCATA, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team saw its historical season come to an end on Tuesday, falling to the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State, 77-56, in the first round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament.

The Otters finish with a program-best 18-7 overall record and 14-8 conference record.

Junior #Michelle Santizo# led the Otters with 16 points while classmate #Julie Heurung# chipped in 14 points and five rebounds. Senior #Veronica Williams# added 11 points.

CSUMB took a 9-8 lead, connecting on three consecutive 3-pointers.

After both teams traded leads, the Lumberjacks scored eight unanswered points to take a 28-19 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half.

HSU took a 30-23 advantage into the break.

The Otters opened the second half strong with two baskets by Heurung, 30-27 HSU.  Williams knocked down a hook shot to close the gap to 30-29.

After a layup by HSU's Bree Halsey, Heurung flipped in a shot at 17:12, 32-31 HSU.

HSU went on a roll when back-to-back 3-pointers by Luzia Osborne sparked a 16-2 run. 

At that point, Santizo took control of the Otter offense by scoring seven of the Otters next 10 points, 51-41 HSU.

From then on, the Lumberjacks would cruise on to a 77-56 victory.

The Otters were out-rebounded 37-21, with the HSU grabbing 12 offensive rebounds. The Lumberjacks went 13-for-28 (46.4 percent) from beyond the arc.

This was the women's basketball team's first appearance in the CCAA Tournament. CSUMB finished the regular season tied for fourth with Humboldt State in the conference standings, its highest finished since joining the CCAA.