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SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Playing like there was no tomorrow, and there was no tomorrow if they lost, the No. 5 seed Sonoma State defeated the No. 4 seed Cal State San Bernardino, 78-71, to advance to the CCAA Tournament semifinals.
 
Jayme Blackard's 21 points led all student-athletes. The senior guard filled out the stat sheet by adding five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. CCAA Newcomer of the Year Alysa Lopez added 10 points and a team-leading six rebounds. Ixchel Rojo scored a career-high with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Seawolves were also plus-23 in points in the 13 minutes Rojo played, and the SSU bench outscored CSUSB's 34-18.
 
Jaida Jackson and Mia Dufrense each had 18 points to pace the Coyotes. Dufresne recorded a team-high eight rebounds. Jackson added seven rebounds and five steals.
 
The Seawolves struggled to find their footing early, allowing CSUSB to take momentum and lead after the first quarter (18-11). SSU answered and led at halftime 30-29. The teams would trade baskets to start the third quarter before Sonoma State went on an 8-0 midway through the quarter, and they would never again lose the lead.
 
CSUSB cut the deficit to a single possession multiple times and to one point at 72-71 with 27 seconds remaining. Sonoma knew their season was on the line, as they were sent to the charity stripe six times down the stretch. Rojo, Meredith Gilbertson, and Sienna Cherwinski each made every one of their free throw attempts to thwart any thought of a Coyotes comeback.
 
Sonoma State will advance to the CCAA women's basketball tournament semifinals, where it will face the No. 1 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday, Mar. 7 at 8 p.m.