California State University at Northridge
3-27,1-19Big West
Hawai'i
19-9,16-3Big West
CSUN Finishes the Season With A Battle
3/7/2024 9:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—CSUN Women's Basketball fell to Hawai'i 65-62 on Thursday night in Premier America Credit Union Arena. As part of taking on the Wahine, the Matadors celebrated their seniors. Talo Li-Uperesa led the Matadors with 18 points. Two other CSUN players also scored in double digits: Kaitlyn Elsholz with 14 and Kayanna Spriggs with 10.
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the tip off, it was a battle as the Matadors and Wahine traded baskets. The game stayed close until CSUN went on a 7-0 run to take the lead at 11-4. The Wahine tried to disrupt with their own shots, but Spriggs, Li-Uperesa, and Elsholz kept the lead with 18-9. Hawai'i refused to stay down for long as they went on a 10-0 run to take the first quarter at 19-18.
The Wahine continued their momentum with a layup to open the second quarter. Elsholz fired back with a jumper, but Hawai'i followed with a 8-0 run. Olivia Smith kept the Matadors in with a 3-pointer at 5:03. She and Li-Uperesa rallied together to chip the distance to 32-27. The Wahine managed to keep their lead as the half closed at 36-29.
CSUN refused to fold as Spriggs and Adams kept the Matadors in the game. The Wahine tried to build their lead, but Li-Uperesa didn't let them as she brought the game to 44-35. She was followed by Elsholz with a 3-pointer. Li-Uperesa went on a 5-5 run alone as she brought CSUN's score to 49-43. Rachel Harvey finished the quarter with a jumper with only 26 seconds left as the score was at 49-45.
Li-Uperesa struck first in the final quarter with a jumper. The Wahine followed with three baskets, but Elsholz kept the Matadors' momentum with a 3-pointer. She was followed by Spriggs and Adams who brought the game within three points at 57-54. Hawai'i tried to pull away again, but Adams and Elsholz pulled an 8-2 run to bring the score to 63-62 with 17 seconds left. The Wahine took the win with two last free throws.
NOTES OF THE GAME
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CSUN finishes the 2024 season with a 3-27 overall record and a 1-19 conference record. Hawai'i improves to 16-3 in the Big West and 19-9 overall.
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Kayanna Spriggs and Erica Adams led the Matadors in rebounds with seven each.
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The Matadors outscored the Wahine in the last two quarters.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH CARLENE MITCHELL
"I liked the fight. The same thing we've seen all year. Down the stretch, things have been a little more cohesive in our style of play and players understanding their role even with a short bench."
#GoMatadors
