SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The UC San Diego women's basketball team increased its winning streak to seven games with a 64-61 victory against Cal State San Bernardino in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play Saturday at Coussoulis Arena.
With the result, UCSD improves to 18-9 overall and 16-6 in the conference, while CSUSB falls to 18-8 overall and 14-8 in the CCAA.
The Tritons and Coyotes played evenly throughout, as the contest saw a total of 12 lead changes and 12 ties.
UCSD trailed CSUSB, 6-2, in the first five minutes of play. However, a Dana Webster jumper on the next possession would ignite a 10-0 run, capped off by a Taylor Tanita three-pointer.
The Coyotes would tie the game at 14-14 after an 8-2 run of their own. The two teams took turns making baskets and the contest was tied at 31-31 with 1:18 left in the first period. CSUSB's Brianna Harden would convert a one-and-one opportunity to give her team the advantage, 34-31, at halftime.
Cal State San Bernardino grabbed the biggest lead of the second half, 51-46, after Adriana Brodie was fouled on a made basket and netted the ensuing free throw.
Miranda Seto cut the Coyote lead to one after a jumper and Webster drained a mid-range shot to put UCSD on top, 52-51, with 8:43 left to play. The Tritons would stay up for the rest of the game.
Chelsea Barnes's basket with 1:29 on the clock cut the UCSD advantage to one, 62-61. On the next posession, Webster hit a clutch jumper to seal the win for the Tritons.
"We grinded and gutted it out," said UCSD head coach Heidi VanDerveer. "It was a great win and I'm very excited to keep our momentum going."
Webster scored 17 points and shot 87.5 percent (7-8) from the charity stripe. Tanita had 13 points on 55.5 percent (5-9) shooting and made three of four from behind the arc. Beth Mounier was also in double figures with 12 points. Farrah Shokoor dominated the boards with a game-high 15 rebounds.
Brodie led all players with 18 points.
The two teams will meet again March 5 (12:05 p.m.) in the first round of the CCAA Championship Tournament at Stockton Arena in Stockton. UC San Diego will be the fourth seed, while Cal State San Bernardino is the fifth seed in the six-team tourney.
Third-seeded Cal Poly Pomona will play Cal State East Bay, the sixth seed, in the other first-round match-up. The top two seeds - Cal State Dominguez Hills and Humboldt State - receive first-round byes.
For complete tourney information, including ticket details, click here.
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