Long Beach State Defeats CSUN 59-51

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—A 15-3 third quarter run powered for Long Beach State to 59-51 victory over CSUN in Big West women's basketball play Thursday night.

CSUN missed 10 of its first 11 shot attempts, as CSUN trailed 5-3 at the first media timeout. The Matadors used their defense to mount a 12-3 run that gave CSUN at 15-8 lead midway through the second period. The 49ers responded with 7-2 spurt that was capped off by a Cecily Wilson three-pointer.

The Matadors hit back, looking for Channon Fluker down low. Fluker came away with two straight layups. CSUN took a 23-15 advantage with 1:19 to play in the first half when Fluker found Tessa Boagni underneath the basket.

Shanaijah Davison keyed a 7-0 run for the Beach with a three-pointer on the ensuing Long Beach State possession. The 49ers forced four of the 10 CSUN first half turnovers during the stretch. Meghann Henderson was fouled bringing the ball back up the court for CSUN with two seconds left in the opening frame. She sank a pair of free throws to send the Matadors into the halftime break with a 25-22 lead.

Trailing 29-24, back-to-back three-point field goals from Jessica Gertz ignited the run that would prove to be the difference. Long Beach extended the advantage to 39-32 before a Terrin Sullivan three-pointer with under a minute to go in the third would end up being the final points of the quarter.

Davison connected on a three-pointer with just under six to go in the fourth. She was fouled on the play. Davison's free throw put the Beach up 50-40. The closest CSUN would get would be six on a pair of occasions down the stretch including on a Boagni three-pointer with 20 seconds to play.

"First hats off to Long Beach State," said CSUN head coach Jason Flowers. "They did a great job of playing hard. They were scrappy and did what they needed to do. All of the 50-50 balls were there's. They fought for rebounds. When we executed on offense we were able to get wide open layups. It comes back to taking care of the basketball. We have to figure out to be more consistent going forward."

The Beach (3-20, 1-8 Big West) made 18 steals and forced 20 CSUN turnovers which the 49ers turned into 23 points. Compared to only five for the Matadors off of 10 Long Beach State turnovers). The 49ers held CSUN to 31% shooting (18-of-58), compared to 36.2% for Long Beach State. CSUN outrebounded the 49ers 50-32, 18-8 on the offensive glass.

Davison led all scorers with 29 points. She was 11-of-22 from the floor, made six steals, and had four assists. Boagni paced CSUN with 19 points. Fluker recorded her 48th career double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Fluker dished out a season high five assists for CSUN.

The Matadors (13-11, 6-4 Big West) travel to league leader UC Davis (19-4, 9-1 Big West) Saturday afternoon. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m.

"We are going to back and prepare for UC Davis," Flowers said. "They are going to be ready to play at a high level and we have to match that."

~www.GoMatadors.com~

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Team Stats

Tessa Boagni

Channon Fluker

Meghann Henderson

Lauren Shymkewicz

Players Mentioned

Tessa Boagni

Channon Fluker

Meghann Henderson

Terrin Sullivan