CSUN's Comeback Bid Falls Short in Loss to Seattle

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN women's basketball team (2-12) lost 62-56 to Seattle University Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest at The Matadome. Freshman Channon Fluker posted her first career double-double, finishing with career highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds, but the Redhawks withstood a late Matador rally to claim the road victory.

After trailing by as many as 24, CSUN cut the Seattle lead to two points (54-52) on a 3-pointer from Katelin King. A redshirt sophomore, King made her first appearance and start of the season Saturday and finished with six points in 14 minutes. Seattle scored the next four points before Claudia Ramos pulled the Matadors back to within 58-54 with 29 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter. The Redhawks hit their free throws down the stretch and, despite Fluker's 10th field goal with 17 seconds left in regulation, claimed the victory.

Fluker was a force inside for the Matadors, finishing 10-of-14 from the field in 19 minutes off the bench. Five of her rebounds came on the offensive glass and she added an assist. For the season, Fluker is averaging 6.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Ramos was the second Matador to finish in double-figures, scoring 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field and two 3-pointers. She grabbed a career-high nine offensive rebounds and is averaging 6.0 points per game for the season.

CSUN struggled out of the gate Saturday, connecting on just three of its first 25 shots. The Matadors trailed 18-8 after the first period and Seattle started the second on an 18-4 run to lead 36-12 with 3:56 left in the half. The Matadors rallied down the stretch before halftime, closing the opening 20 minutes on a 14-2 run. Ramos had six points and five rebounds in the first half while Fluker had eight points and three boards.

In the third period, CSUN got to within 44-40 on a lay-up from Serafina Maulupe with 3:47 left in the frame. However, the Redhawks closed the period with a 6-2 spurt to lead 50-42 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Early in the fourth, Fluker pulled CSUN to within three points (50-47) but Seattle pushed the lead back to seven with 5:36 left to play.

CSUN struggled with fouls Saturday and Seattle finished the game with 29-of-38 (76.3 percent) from the free throw line. The Matadors were just 3-of-9 (33 percent) from the free throw line and finished 7-of-33 (21.2 percent) from 3-point range in the game.

The Matadors won the rebounding battle, 51-42, and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds. The extra possessions resulted in 16 second-chance points, but Seattle got 17 points off 18 CSUN turnovers.

Maulupe saw her double-figure scoring streak end at nine games as she posted six points. She added six assists and five rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

Kaylee Best led Seattle with 21 points, finishing a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line in the win.

CSUN will now set its sights on the 2016 Big West Conference season. First up is a home meeting with UC Davis on Thursday, Jan. 7. Tip-off between the Matadors and Aggies is slated for 7 p.m.

Next Event

Team Stats

Channon Fluker

Claudia Ramos

Katelin King

Serafina Maulupe

Players Mentioned

Channon Fluker

Katelin King

Serafina Maulupe

Claudia Ramos