Cal State San Marcos 'pumped' heading into Elite Eight matchup with Division II's top seed

Cal State San Marcos' women's basketball team will make program history on Monday, when it plays in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time. It won't be easy. The Cougars will face Division II's top seed and winningest team this season, Gannon University, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo. Should they win the 4 p.m.

coach Renee Jimenez said the Cougars know what they need to do to beat Gannon, a Catholic university located in Erie, Pa. 'I don't think this is David vs. Goliath, and we're going to have to go in there and sling some rocks,' coach Renee Jimenez said. 'I think our kids are really excited. They feel like they are playing their best basketball they've played all year. Their energy is great. For as tired as they should be, there's so much pep in their step. They're pumped.' The top-seeded Golden Knights , ranked fourth by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, lead Division II in victories and winning percentage. Gannon also ranks among the top four nationally in three defensive categories.

beat in the West Regional final. 'They're big, they shoot the three well, they've got a good post player -- all the things that Billings had.' The Cougars counter with 6-foot senior forward Jordan Vazquez and 5-foot-4 junior guard Charity Gallegos. Vazquez, the team leader in scoring and rebounding , was the D2CCA's Player of the Year for the West Region. Gallegos, who is averaging 15.9 points and a team-high 3.5 assists, joined her on the All-West Region first team.

opened the NCAA Tournament with an 82-61 win over Point Loma Nazarene, then beat Western Washington 62-56 to set up the showdown with Billings. Gannon should provide an even bigger challenge. 'We never see East Coast teams,' Jimenez said. 'But after watching Gannon on video, the players really believe they can do this. I think we feel really good about the game as long as we defend and we rebound really well.

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