CSUN Drops 70-58 Decision at UCSB

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- The CSUN women's basketball team (6-19, 4-7 Big West) lost to UC Santa Barbara 70-58 Thursday night in a Big West Conference contest at The Thunderdome. Channon Fluker posted her eighth-straight double-double, finishing with 31 points and 19 rebounds, but the Gauchos rebounded from a tough first period to sweep the season series from the Matadors.

The first period could not have gone any better for CSUN. The Matadors jumped out to a 20-6 lead after 10 minutes of action, shooting 45 percent from the field and holding a 15-6 lead in rebounds. Fluker had nine points and six rebounds in the period alone.

As good as the first period was, the second period was that bad for the Matadors. UCSB got back into the game as it outscored CSUN 24-6 in the 10 minutes. CSUN had 10 turnovers in the frame that resulted in 14 points for UCSB. Makala Roper hit a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Gauchos a 30-26 lead at halftime.

Fluker had 12 points and seven rebounds at the break.

The third period was not much better for CSUN. The Matadors started the period 1-for-10 from the field, but were able to stay within striking distance because of their work at the free throw line. CSUN trailed by 10, 48-38, after the conclusion of the third period. CSUN shot just 3-of-15 (20 percent) from the field in the frame.

In the fourth period, CSUN tried to fight back but was out-scored 22-20 in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Fluker tied a career high with the 19 rebounds, 15 of which came on the offensive glass, and knocked down a career-high 11 free throws in the loss. She added four blocks in 35 minutes of action. She was 10-of-23 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free throw line.

Cheyenne Allen and Serafina Maulupe each had eight points Thursday. Maulupe set a new career high with eight rebounds while Allen had two assists and a steal off the bench.

The Matadors finished 21-of-58 (36.2 percent) from the field and 3-of-11 (27.3 percent) from 3-point range while UCSB shot 45.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from downtown. CSUN held a sizable advantage in rebounds, 47-26, but 24 Matador turnovers resulted in 30 points for the Gauchos. The Matadors finished with 26 second-chance points in the loss.

CSUN returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 with a home game against Cal Poly. Tip off between the Matadors and Mustangs is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Players Mentioned

Cheyenne Allen

Channon Fluker

Serafina Maulupe