Box Score LOS ANGELES – The third overtime was the charm for Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team in a titanic struggle with Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
After seeing the Otters extend the game twice with buzzer-beaters, the Golden Eagles finally put the game out of reach in a 72-68 triple-overtime victory in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (9-4, 4-2 CCAA) completed a weekend sweep in a rematch of last year's CCAA Championship Tournament title game participants.
 
Tessondra Williams had another huge game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a game-high 23 points and finally putting the game away with a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining in the third overtime. Williams scored 20 of her 23 points in the second half and the three overtime periods.
 
Paige Melville added 13 points and seven rebounds and Kelli Lewis had 11 points. Cal State L.A. got significant contributions throughout its lineup to subdue Cal State Monterey Bay (6-2, 3-2 CCAA).
 
Jessica Fontenette had 13 points to lead three Otters in double figures. Stefanie Corgel had 12 points, including a 30-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer ending regulation that sent the game into overtime. Brittani Jefferson had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Cal State L.A. shot 35.7 percent (25-of-70) for the game, but executed its offense at a better clip in the three overtimes when the Golden Eagles were a more proficient 47.6 percent (10-of-21).
 
The Golden Eagles limited Cal State Monterey Bay to just 32.4 percent shooting (23-of-71).
 
The Otters had a slim 52-48 rebounding edge. Cal State Monterey Bay had 29 turnovers while Cal State L.A. had 26.
 
Both teams showed grit in the contest. The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half before launching a drive that almost resulted in a win in regulation. Cal State L.A. built a 38-33 lead after a 3-pointer by Williams before the Otters battled back and eventually held a 42-41 lead following a layup by Corgel with 44 seconds to go.
 
Bree Parsons, though, gave the Golden Eagles a 43-42 lead on a driving layup with 20 seconds to go and after a steal and a pair of free throws by Williams with two seconds left, the Golden Eagles seemed in good shape. Corgel changed that when she drained a long 3-pointer to send it to overtime.
 
Cal State L.A. got a basket by Williams to break a 50-50 tie with 1:40 to go and the Golden Eagles held a 53-51 lead after Williams made a free throw with 14 seconds left. Jefferson missed two free throws after a foul, but Fontenette got the rebound and put it back in at the buzzer to send the game to a second overtime.
 
The Golden Eagles trailed by four late in the second overtime, but consecutive baskets by Melville tied it with 1:24 to go and a layup by Maryum Jenkins gave Cal State L.A. a 63-61 lead with 35 seconds to play. Once again, though, the Otters got a key basket, this one by Nikki Beckman to send it to a third overtime.
 
A free throw by Fontenette tied it at 68-68 with 55 seconds to go and Lewis hit a jumper to finally give the Golden Eagles the lead for good with 41 seconds left. After a Cal State Monterey Bay turnover, Williams was fouled and hit two free throws with 12 seconds remaining to ice it.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action with a road game at Sonoma State on Friday, Jan. 11.