By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
Cal State San Bernardino senior Leslie Pickron picked up where she left off Friday night, tossing in 20 points and leading the Coyotes to a 74-60 win over Cal State Stanislaus Saturday at Coussoulis Arena.
The Riverside native went 7-for-9 from the field, including a stellar 6-for-8 from 3-point range. Her career-high point total was six points more than her previous best which came 24 hours earlier in the Coyotes upset of No. 13 Chico State. Her six 3-pointers tied a school record set by Christina Day in 2006.
I had a good night last night but I rushed a few and missed some I should have made, Pickron said. So I came out today and worked a little on that and it paid off.
The Coyotes (19-4, 13-3), who share first place with Chico State, trailed early 7-5 four minutes into the game but dominated after that. A putback by Shanae Blake tied the score and the host team went ahead for good on a free throw by Vanessa Wilt, making it 10-7.
Wilt scored inside and Pickron drained her first 3-pointer after that to make it 15-7 and Cal State never looked back.
The Coyotes led 36-24 at the half and stretch that in the early stages of the second half with Pickrons presence paying off for the other Coyotes.
Her fifth bomb made it 51-37 with 12:12 left. Her success helped spread the Warriors defense and paved the way for two easy inside buckets by Wilt that gave the Coyotes an insurmountable 55-37 lead and the rout was on.
Pickron was followed closely in the scoring column by Wilt with 18 and Blake with 17. Blake hit a variety of shots but many came on dribble drives. Rachel Johnson also hit double figures with 10.
Wilt had a team-high 11 rebounds and three blocks with Krystal Urzua paving the way in assists with six.
All were glad to a solid performance following the upset the previous night that could help the Coyotes earn a spot in this weeks national rankings.
We talked about not letting up after a game where we were on such an emotional high, Pickron said. To conme out tonight and lose would have made last nights win pointless.
The Warriors (6-16, 4-12) got 14 from Katie Busi and 12 points and eight boards by Christin Gowan.
Next up for the Coyotes is a Thursday home game against Cal Poly Pomona.
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