LA JOLLA, Calif. – The chances for a victory were available but they couldn't be converted.
In their first of two games at the UC San Diego Thanksgiving Classic, Azusa Pacific began well but Cal State San Marcos responded as they posted a 79-61 victory in a match-up between the Cougars.
During the first quarter Azusa Pacific held Cal State San Marcos to under 40 percent from the field but, Cal State San Marcos responded by nailing at least 50 percent of their attempts during each of the final three periods to aid in the victory.
While Azusa Pacific committed a season low 14 turnovers, they were just a step behind most of the game after a solid opening quarter.
Abigail Goodsell scored a team, and personal season high, best 24 points. The junior went 10-for-21 from the field, including nailing half of her eight three-point shots, in 35 minutes. Both Tara Casey and Gabrielle Kaiser chipped-in 13-point afternoons.
After Azusa Pacific scored the game's first eight points, Cal State San Marcos chipped away at their early deficit and pulled within two points (16-14) after the opening quarter. The contest's momentum began to shift more drastically in the second period.
With 3:24 left until halftime, Kaiser converted an offensive rebound put-back to give her team a 22-21 lead. It was the last time the advantage was in their favor. Cal State San Marcos finished the quarter with eight unanswered points to take a seven-point lead into the locker room.
Azusa Pacific was able to threaten several times early in the third quarter as they pulled within two points three times but Cal State San Marcos held their lead. They eventually went into the final 10 minutes with a 52-44 edge.
The final quarter played out in a similar fashion in the early stages. Azusa Pacific, once again, pulled their deficit to within one possession but Cal State San Marcos never gave way. The final blow of the Azusa Pacific's comeback hopes started with just over seven minutes left. Cal State San Marcos grew a 52-50 lead to 67-55 over nearly a four minute stretch. Azusa Pacific could never pull within single digits down the stretch.
Tomorrow Azusa Pacific concludes their annual Thanksgiving trip to La Jolla with a 3 p.m. tip-off against the host Tritons.
