Late Three Sends Hawai'i Past CSUN 56-54

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.— Lahni Salanoa's three-pointer with 2:09 to play in fourth quarter proved to be the difference as the University of Hawai'i defeated CSUN 56-54 in Big West Conference women's basketball play Thursday night.

CSUN opened the game on a 10-2 run. Tessa Boagni and Channon Fluker both scored four points during the 4:27 span. The Matadors extended the lead to nine at one point as CSUN made eight of its first 13 shots. The Matadors went cold down in the final two minutes missing their final six attempts as Hawai'i cut it to 16-10 after one.

The Matadors was 4-of-19 from the field in the second quarter as Hawai'i would go 7-of-13. The Rainbow Wahine closed the half by making three consecutive three-point field goals to take a 27-24 advantage into the break.

Salanoa connected on Hawa'i's fourth consecutive three-pointer to begin the second half. The Rainbow Wahine extended the run to 11-0 before CSUN called a timeout with 8:34 to go in the third quarter, trailing 32-24. Terrin Sullivan made the first Matadors' three-pointer of the game after the timeout. Sullivan's basket keyed a 9-2 spurt that brought CSUN to within one (34-33) at the third quarter media timeout. Sarah Toeaina scored five straight points to finish out the third to help UH to a 45-41 lead after 30 minutes.

Hawai'i pushed the lead to 52-46 with just over six to play in the fourth. Channon Fluker recorded back-to-back drives to the basket that went in to cut the UH lead to two at the media timeout. Fluker tied the game with a layup. Salanoa hit the go-ahead basket.

Fluker's drive with 54 seconds to play created a 55-54 game. With the possession, Hawai'i called timeout. Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard had a wide-open look at the basket, but the Rainbow Wahine center missed the layup. Fluker grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 22 seconds to play.

Looking in for Fluker, CSUN's point guard Hayley Tanabe turned the ball over. Toeaina made the steal and was fouled. The Rainbow Wahine called timeout to advance the ball to half court. Hawai'i threw the ball into the back court was called for timeout with 6.1 seconds remaining. CSUN called timeout. The ball ended up in Fluker's hands. She attempted a three that went off the rim. Toeaina got the rebound and was fouled. UH called their final timeout and advanced the ball to halfcourt. Tia Kanoa was fouled with .8 remaining. She missed the first but made the second for the final score of the game.

"I thought we got away from getting the ball inside," said CSUN head coach Jason Flowers. "I thought we took some shots that were questionable at best. We fought back in the second half, but we didn't execute down the stretch and I will take the blame for that. We will go back to practice and try and get better."

The Rainbow Wahine held the Matadors to 37.1% shooting for the night (23-of-62) as UH make 22-of-51 attempts (43.1%). CSUN outrebounded Hawai'i 38-29, 13-3 on the offensive glass. The Matadors used their advantage on the board to record 10 second chance points, compared to 0 for UH.The Rainbow Wahine turned 12 Matador turnovers into 18 points.

Fluker registered her 51st career double-double with a game high 24 points and 12 rebounds. Boagni scored 14 points and had eight rebounds. Salanoa led Hawai'i (11-15, 4-9 Big West) with 19 points. She was 7-of-10 from the floor, 5-of-8 from three-point range. Toeaina charted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Matadors (14-14, 7-7 Big West) return to action next Thursday when CSUN hosts UC Irvine (17-10, 9-4 Big West). Coverage on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health begins with Eric Kaback's pregame show at 6:55 p.m. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

~www.GoMatadors.com~

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Team Stats

Channon Fluker

Tessa Boagni

Hayley Tanabe

Eliza Matthews

Players Mentioned

Tessa Boagni

Channon Fluker

Terrin Sullivan

Hayley Tanabe