California State University at Northridge
1-0
Idaho
0-1
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
CSUN Clamps Down on Idaho in Season-Opening Victory
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In a meeting of two 2014 NCAA Tournament teams, the Matadors led for the entire contest based largely on their defense. In the first half, CSUN held the Vandals to 13.3 percent (4-of-30) from the field and 8.3 percent (1-of-8) from 3-point range.
The Matadors jumped out to an 11-0 lead Friday and never looked back. The closest Idaho would get would be eight and the Matadors punctuated a stellar first half when Sharpe nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give CSUN a 32-14 lead at halftime.
Idaho rebounded to shoot 40 percent (14-of-35) in the second half and connected on five 3-pointers. However, CSUN kept the Vandals at bay and 13 would be as close as Idaho would come to mounting a comeback.Â
"It is always better to win than lose. I thought defensively we made them take tough shots. I think it was a combination of our defense and them missing some shots they usually make," CSUN head coach Jason Flowers said. "I have a lot of respect for Jon and their kids and what they do. For us to come out and get a win against Idaho is good for us."
Sharpe finished 9-of-21 from the field and knocked down three 3-pointers. The nine field goals established a new career high for the senior. She added five rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes and now stands at 982 points for her career.
Mahlknecht finished 4-of-9 from the field and hit two free throws to post 10th career double-double. She also finished with four blocked shots in the contest, giving her 229 for her career and tying her for eighth in Big West Conference history.
Cinnamon Lister finished with eight points and a team-high four assists in 29 minutes. Ashlee Guay added five points, three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. Senior Randi Friess also had a strong game, grabbing nine rebounds to go with three points and three assists in 33 minutes.Â
The game also featured the debut of several new Matadors to Division I basketball. Tessa Boagni came off the bench to finish with six points, four rebounds and a block in 18 minutes. Caroline Gilling had two rebounds and Travis Newman added a steal in their first career appearances at CSUN.
"Today was my best game so far, so that was good. I think have become more accustom to the physicality of the action and going out there tonight, I just wanted to play my game," Boagni said.
Stacey Barr led Idaho with 18 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes of action. For the game, Idaho shot 18-of-65 (27.7 percent) from the field compared to 37.1 percent (23-of-62) for CSUN. The Vandals held a 49-44 rebounding advantage, but the Matadors forced 20 turnovers that they converted into 13 points.Â
CSUN returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 16 with a 2 p.m. home contest against Sacramento State.Â