CSUN Falls to Hope International, 64-60

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Women's Basketball fell to the Hope International Royals, 64-60 on Saturday afternoon at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Amiyah Ferguson led all scorers with 15 points while Arina Nikishina hit a career high in scoring with 10 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors started with the first four points before their defense was tested as the Royals answered with eight in a row. The Royals took a 17-11 lead on a three from Shiane Talley, but CSUN struck back and climbed to within 20-19 on a 6-0 run to end the first quarter. The Matadors returned strong to start the second quarter with baskets from Arinia Nikishina and Talo Li-Uperesa to take a 23-20 lead. Nikishina scored her 10 points in the first half to help lead CSUN while Ferguson scored eight in the second quarter. After a Nikishina basket with 2:35 left in the second quarter, CSUN led 35-25. However, Hope International scored a late three and closed to within 36-30 at halftime.

The Royals, who made eight threes in the first half, made four in the third period as the gap closed to 42-41. CSUN though followed with a 7-0 run as Kaitlyn Elsholz sank a basket to give the Matadors a 49-41 advantage. After the teams traded field goals, the third quarter ended with CSUN holding a 51-49 lead. CSUN scored the first four points of the fourth period but the Royals fought back to eventually take a 59-58 lead with 3:04 left to play. The Matadors struggled from the field in the fourth quarter, making 2-of-14 shots while the Royals took advantage, hitting 6-of-17. Keira McNamee would break a 59-59 tie with a three-pointer off the glass with 1:19 remaining. The Matadors did earn their way to the free throw line on the next possession, making 1-of-2, but Talley converted on a jumper with two seconds left to secure a Royals win

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN falls to 2-2 on the season while Hope International stays at 3-1 as the game was considered an exhibition on its schedule.
The Matadors shot 33.3 percent from the floor while making 4-of-13 from three (17.4 percent) and 8-of-17 at the free throw line (47.1 percent). Hope International would finish shooting 31.9 percent for the game. The Royals made 14-of-50 from three (28.0 percent) and 4-of-8 at the free throw line (50.0 percent).
CSUN out-rebounded HIU 55-49 while the Matadors had 22 offensive rebounds.
Kayanna Spriggs posted a team-high 12 rebounds to go with eight points, six assists and four steals.
Kaitlyn Elsholz made the most 3-pointers for CSUN, going 2-of-6, and she finished with eight points.
The Matadors' biggest lead of the game was 10 points.
There were five lead changes in the game.

ACCORDING TO COACH CARLENE MITCHELL
"This is a disappointing loss, but I'm gong to give Hope International all of the credit. Their kids competed from the tip to the final buzzer. Jess [Case] is a former assistant of mine, so give them a lot of credit. They were prepared and played with a lot of emotion. We were flat and we started pressing it. When you give them a chance and any kind of hope, they're going to battle, and we just didn't make shots again. It continues to be a nemesis of ours, making open jumpers."

UP NEXT
CSUN hits the road to take on Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. PT.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Falls to Hope International, 64-60

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Team Stats

Amiyah Ferguson

Arina Nikishina

Talo Li-Uperesa

Kaitlyn Elsholz

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Elsholz

Amiyah Ferguson

Talo Li-Uperesa

Arina Nikishina

Kayanna Spriggs

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Elsholz

Amiyah Ferguson

Talo Li-Uperesa

Arina Nikishina

Kayanna Spriggs