California State University at Northridge
14-9, 4-5BWC
UC Davis
10-10, 5-3BWC
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Another Slow Start Sets CSUN Back in Loss at UC Davis
2/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Over the past three games, shooting has not been CSUN's strength. Thursday, the team shot 25 percent (9-of-36) from the field over the opening 20 minutes. That was actually an improvement over their previous game, when they shot 5-of-28 (17.9 percent) in a loss at Hawai'i.
In fact, over their last three games, all of which have been losses, CSUN has managed to shoot a cumulative 24-of-94 (25.5 percent) from the field in the first half. Â
Having to play from behind for the full 40 minutes, CSUN simply could not catch up to the Aggies.
UC Davis started the game on fire. The Aggies jumped out to a 14-2 lead to start the contest in front of the home crowd, making four 3-pointers quickly. However, CSUN fought back and closed to within 17-14 on a 3-pointer from Emily Cole with around 12 minutes to play.
The Aggies got back up 23-14 before Caroline Gilling hit a 3-pointer and Ashlee Guay scored a fast-break lay-up. That drew the lead to within 23-19, but UCD scored the next nine points to bring the lead back to 32-19. Kaetlin King hit a leaning jump shot at the buzzer to draw CSUN within 32-21 at the half.
The Matadors shot an even 25 percent in the first half, making just nine of 36 attempts from the field. From beyond the 3-point arc, CSUN was 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) and the Matadors missed all four of their free throws.
UC Davis finished at 46.2 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from 3-point range over the opening 20 minutes.
UC Davis started the second half where it left off in the first, scoring the first five points of the frame. A Janae Sharpe and Gilling 3-pointer stemmed the run, but CSUN still trailed by 12 after Gilling's basket.
CSUN trailed 44-29 with 14:06 to play when Kelsey Harris hit another 3-pointer for the Aggies. The 18-point lead was UC Davis' biggest of the game. Guay converted an old-fashioned three-point play to draw CSUN within 50-36 with 12 minutes to play.
A Cinnamon Lister 3-pointer at 8:45 pulled CSUN within 56-46. However, on UC Davis' next trip down the floor, Sydnee Fipps canned her sixth 3-pointer of the game to push the lead back to 59-46. Randi Friess hit a 3-pointer after a timeout to draw CSUN within 59-49.
Lister hit another 3-pointer and CSUN found itself within 59-52 with roughly seven minutes to play. Sharpe then hit a 3-pointer to pull the Matadors within 60-55 with six minutes to play.
CSUN got as close as 62-57 with about four minutes to play, but UCD was able to answer with four straight points to push the lead back to nine.
An old-fashioned three-point play from Guay brought CSUN back within 69-63 with 1:17 to play. That would be as close as the Matadors would get as the Aggies knocked down their free throws in the final minute.
CSUN was able to get back into the game by shooting 47.2 percent in the second half. Still, CSUN finished at 36.1 percent for the game compared to 53.2 percent for UC Davis. The Aggies finished a blistering 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from 3-point range compared to 36.7 percent (11-of-30) for the Matadors. Â
Guay led all players with 21 points on the night. She added six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 26 minutes of action.
Sharpe posted her first career double-double, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds. She added four assists and one steal in 35 minutes of action.
Cole set career highs with nine points and three 3-pointers. Jasmine Johnson had seven rebounds off the bench.
Sydnee Fipps led UCD with 20 points and six 3-pointers. Two other Aggies finished in double figures. The loss was CSUN's third straight to UC Davis.
The Matadors return home for their next two contests. On Saturday, Feb. 7, the Matadors face Cal State Fullerton on The Blacktop at The Matadome in a 4 p.m. contest. The game is part of CSUN's annual participation in the Play 4 Kay initiative. All fans wearing pink will receive $5 admission.
Following the tilt with the Titans, CSUN hosts Cal Poly on Thursday, Feb. 12 for a 7 p.m. contest. The game will be featured on ESPN3 and there will not be a Big West TV broadcast of the game.