Fluker's 30 & 10 Guides CSUN Past Biola

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Channon Fluker scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her 40th career double-double as CSUN defeated Biola 68-51 in women's basketball action Thursday night at the Matadome.

The Eagles soared to a 7-2 start and led 12-7 with just over four minutes to play in the opening period. The Matadors clamped down on defense which led to a 15-0 run that lasted 1:20 into the second and resulted in a 24-14 CSUN advantage. Led by Fluker who scored 19 points in the first half, the Matadors led 35-25 at halftime.

CSUN opened the third quarter on a 15-2 stretch that broke the game open. Fluker and Claudia Ramos each scored six points during the 5:06 span than provide the Matadors with its largest lead of the game, 52-27 midway through the third frame. Fluker would reach the 30-point plateau for the second time this season and the eighth of her career with a basket six second into the fourth.

Biola made things interesting with Fluker taking a seat early in the final stanza. Down 61-38, the Eagles scored 11 straight points to make it a 13-point game with 4:17 to play. A pair of Lauren Shymkewicz free throws at 3:39 broke the string. Sara Dugan's layup the next time down again created a 13-point game at 63-50. Shymkewicz, in her first game back from a foot injury, scored four of the final five CSUN points as the Matadors would win their fifth game in their last seven tries.

In only 21 minutes, Fluker was 13-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. She added a team high three blocks. Ramos scored 11 points. The junior guard nabbed a career high nine rebounds and dished out a game high six assists. Shymkewicz would score six points, posted eight rebounds, and blocked two shots. Jazz Benn led Biola with 15 points while DeMoria White, the Eagles' leading scorer coming into the game (16.8) was held to 12 points.

CSUN scored 20 points off 14 Biola turnovers. The Matadors outrebounded the Eagles 49-37, earning 19 second chance points (compared to two for Biola). CSUN held the Eagles to 29.5% shooting (18-of-61) for the game.

"Channon did a good job of getting position down low and our guards did a good job of getting her the ball," said CSUN head coach Jason Flowers. "I think she has proven to be a good low-post scorer. We must do some other things including improving on the defensive end of the floor. You accomplish things by focusing on the process and be willing to do things that others aren't. Right now, we are not willing to do those things consistently and it is my job to get us there."

CSUN (6-7) closes out the non-conference portion of the 2017-18 schedule Saturday when the Matadors host Seattle University. Coverage on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health begins at 4 p.m.

~www.GoMatadors.com~

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Team Stats

Channon Fluker

Claudia Ramos

Meghann Henderson

Hayley Tanabe

Players Mentioned

Channon Fluker

Claudia Ramos

Lauren Shymkewicz