SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team wrapped up their Southern California trip with a big victory at Cal State San Marcos Tuesday afternoon.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (68), Cal State San Marcos (50)
• Records: CWU (9-1, 1-0 GNAC), CSUSM (4-3, 1-1 GNAC)
• Location: The Sports Center (San Marcos, Calif.)

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
 
"I'm happy to end our California trip with a win. Our team showed a lot of grit with three great games in four days and shortened windows of prep. These games challenged us in the ways we hoped and I know we have grown from this trip. Today we showed the ability to adjust with the game and I felt we responded well to the challenges. I'm very pleased with how we took care of the ball and our effort on the offensive boards which are two areas we have been working on. We are excited to head home finally for our home-opener Saturday!"
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• The Cougars earned the first points of the game at the 7:12 mark when Kaity Haan put in a layup to make it 2-0.
• The 'Cats tied things up a minute and a half later with a pair of free-throws by Sierra Eddie.
• The teams continued to battle the rest of the first quarter as a last second three by Kate Bobadilla of San Marcos made it a 16-14 Cougar lead after one.
• A layup by Fiona Snashall sparked a 9-3 run by the 'Cats to begin the second and saw CWU take the 23-19 lead with 7:16 left.
• Both teams continued to go back-and-forth with the 'Cats maintaining an arm's length lead.
• A pair of layups by Capri Sims followed by a layup from Asher Cai gave CWU their first double-digit lead of the game at 37-27 with 1:34 left in the second.
• Each teach exchanged a basket before the halftime buzzer with the 'Cats on top 39-29.
• The two teams exchanged a pair of baskets to begin the third quarter before three-straight layups by Haan of CSUSM cut it to a 43-37 CWU lead forcing Head Coach Richardson to call a timeout with 5:29 left in the third.
• A jumper by Kayla Thornton at the 2:02 mark concluded the scoring in the third as the 'Cats took the 49-41 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
• Cai took things into her own hands to begin the fourth, immediately drilling a three, then answering a jumper from the Cougars Portia Polo with three free-throws and another three of her own. Eddie followed up with a three of her own to make it a 61-43 crimson and black lead with 5:44 left in the game.
• The Cougars answered with a pair of baskets, but the 'Cats overwhelmed them with seven-straight to make it a 68-47 game with 2:25 left.
• A jumper and a free-throw by Bobadilla of San Marcos concluded the scoring as the 'Cats earned a huge 68-50 regional victory over the Cougars.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Cai led all scores in the game with 26 points, adding seven rebounds and an assist.
• Sims earned her second-straight double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds while adding three assists and a block.
• Eddie tacked on 13 points, two rebounds, an assist, and two steals off the bench.
• Snashall finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, an assist, two blocks, and a steal.
• Thornton added four points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
• Rylee Leishman had an assist while Jordy DeMott grabbed one rebound and dished out an assist.
• Aliyah Finch had four rebounds and a steal while Lylah Spring grabbed two boards.
• CWU finished the game shooting 41.9 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from three, and 72.7 percent at the free-throw line.
• Haan led the Cougars with 20 points, grabbing seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Bobadilla added 13 points as the only other Cougar to earn double-figures.
• CSUSM shot 32.3 percent from the floor, 25 percent from three, and 83.3 percent at the free-throw line.
• The 'Cats once again had a great outing on the boards, grabbing 42 compared to the Cougars 36.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The two teams are split 1-1 all-time now.
• The 'Cats are 1-0 in San Marcos.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• CWU will wrap up 2025 with their home-opener on Saturday, December 20 at 6:00 p.m. when they host the Walla Walla Wolves for the 'Cats annual Dollar Day.