CSUN Snaps Skid with Victory at Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The CSUN women's basketball team (2-8) defeated Portland 68-62 Friday afternoon in a non-conference contest at the Chiles Center. Sophomore Tessa Boagni recorded her second career double-double, finishing with 16 points and a career-high 12 rebounds as the Matadors snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating the Pilots for the first time on the road in the all-time series.

After scoring two points in the first half, Boagni exploded for 14 in the second half on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. She had six rebounds in each half and added an assist, a block and a steal in 32 minutes of action. She is averaging a team-high 11.6 points through the first 10 contests of the 2015-16 season.

Fellow sophomore Serafina Maulupe finished with 15 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the field. She knocked down a career-high three 3-pointers and added three rebounds, four assists and a career-high four steals. She has scored in double-figures in each of the Matadors' last six games and is averaging 11 points per game.

The Matadors jumped out to a 20-17 after 10 minutes of action. The Matadors scored the final five points of the period, getting a 3-pointer from junior Emily Cole and lay-up from freshman Cheyenne Allen as time expired. Freshman Claudia Ramos had two 3-pointers in the opening period and Maulupe had five points to pace CSUN.

In the second period, Portland fought back and tied the game at 24-24 with 5:49 left in the half. From there, Ramos answered with a 3-pointer and fellow rookie Nautica Morrow had four points in the frame. Allen once again beat the buzzer with a lay-up, giving CSUN a 36-31 lead at halftime.

The third period saw Portland continue to chip away at the CSUN lead. The Pilots go to within one point twice, but the Matadors responded each time. Boagni had four points in the frame, including the period's final two points to give CSUN a 50-46 lead through 30 minutes of action.

In the fourth period, Portland was able to take a 51-50 lead with 8:12 left in the game. On the next possession, Morrow canned her first career 3-pointer to give the Matadors the lead for good. After the Pilots got back within two points with 4:27 left in the contest, Boagni scored four-straight points to help CSUN keep a grasp of the lead. The Matadors made their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Senior Jasmine Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds off the bench. Five of her boards were on the offensive glass and she was a stellar 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the game. The seven free throws represented a new career-high for the senior.

Morrow finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 18 minutes of work. Ramos finished with nine points, three 3-pointers and two rebounds. Allen had five points, three assists and three steals in 31 minutes.

As a team, CSUN turned the ball over a season-low nine times Friday. The Matadors forced 19 Portland turnovers and scored 14 points off those miscues. CSUN also held an 8-2 advantage in fast-break points.

Portland shot 45.6 percent from the field and held a 41-38 advantage in rebounding. CSUN finished at 30.9 percent from the field, but was 18-of-20 (90 percent) from the free throw line. Ellie Woerner and Holly Blades each scored 16 points for the Pilots in defeat.

The Matadors remain on the road for one more game in the City of Roses, taking on Portland State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20. After the Christmas holiday, CSUN will travel for contests at Arizona State (Dec. 28) and California (Dec. 30).

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Team Stats

Tessa Boagni

Serafina Maulupe

Nautica Morrow

Claudia Ramos

Players Mentioned

Cheyenne Allen

Tessa Boagni

Emily Cole

Jasmine Johnson

Serafina Maulupe

Nautica Morrow

Claudia Ramos