[Box score] [Cal State San Marcos presser] [Azusa Pacific presser]

Cal State San Marcos outscored Azusa Pacific 26-10 in the fourth quarter to overcome an eight-point deficit and earn a 75-67 win in the NCAA Women's Basketball West Regional semifinals.
 
CSUSM trailed throughout much of the game, going down by as many as 10 in the first half. They used an 11-3 right before halftime to trail by just two at the break (34-32). A jumper by Charity Gallegos tied the game at 34-34 early in the third, but a 9-0 APU run in the middle of the quarter had it leading by eight going into the fourth (57-49).
 
Mina Tameilau started the fourth-quarter scoring with a layup before Gallegos scored eight straight points to give CSUSM its first lead of the game. During the run, she hit two 3-pointers and a jumper. A layup by Molly Whitmore ended the scoreless streak for Azusa Pacific and tied the game at 59-59 before a deep 3-pointer by Kelsey Forrester gave CSUSM the lead for good. Azusa Pacific would keep the pressure on until the last buzzer, but Cal State San Marcos made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to maintain their lead.
 
Gallegos had 21 points to lead four Cal State San Marcos starters in double figures. Forrester hit four 3-pointers en route to scoring 15 points. Dynnah Buckner added 11 points, and Jordan Vasquez posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Paige Uyehara paced Azusa Pacific with 13 points. Alex Lowden and Kelly Heimburger chipped in with 11 points apiece.
 
Cal State San Marcos outscored Azusa Pacific by 14 points at the free throw line (21-7) and outrebounded it by four (40-36).
 
CSUSM will face Cal State Dominguez Hills in the NCAA West Regional Championship game on Monday, Mar. 13, at 7 p.m.