Matadors Best Spartans by Double-Digits, 66-55 in Non-Conference Win

NORTHRIDGE, Calif --- The CSUN women's basketball team (5-4, 1-1 Big West) found itself back in the winner's circle Saturday afternoon when it defeated the San Jose Spartans (1-9), 66-55 at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Rita Nazario led all scorers with 20 points, including going a team-best 5-8 from distance in the win. Saray White was the second leading scorer with nine points.

San Jose State's last lead came at the 5:35 mark when it led 12-11. CSUN would then overtake the lead after and would hold for the rest of the game. CSUN's largest lead came in the fourth quarter when it led 65-47 with 4:14 left to play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
San Jose State would make the first bucket of the game, a three point shot by Mecca Alexander at the 8:46 mark. Nazario would then make the next five points including a three-pointer assisted by Jite Gbemuotor with 7:06 left on the clock. Both teams went back and forth until SJSU found the lead at 12-11. The Matadors then closed out the first quarter on an 11-5 run, hitting three shots from downtown in the process. CSUN carried a 22-17 lead heading into the second quarter. CSUN made six shots from three-point range in the first quarter alone.

In the second quarter, with 5:33 left to play in the half, both teams were neck and neck, with CSUN scoring nine and SJSU scoring eight in the quarter. The Matadors then went on a 13-4 run, including made buckets from five different players. It was balanced scoring all around, as CSUN led 44-28 with 1:49 left in the first half. SJSU added three more points before the half ended as CSUN carried a 13 point lead going into intermission, 44-31.

SECOND HALF
In the third quarter, San Jose State punched back a little bit, holding CSUN to its lowest scoring quarter of the night at nine points. After two made buckets to begin the quarter from the Matadors, the Spartans went on a game-best 13-0 run to cut the lead to four at 48-44 with 2:15 left to play in the period. SJSU went 3-4 from distance in the run to get some momentum going on its side. CSUN would end the third on a mini 5-1 to make it 53-45 going into the fourth quarter.

To begin the fourth, the Spartans made a driving layup to cut the lead to six. However, CSUN responded in commanding fashion. The Matadors went on a 12-0 run with two more threes coming from Nazario. SJSU implemented a zone defense, allowing players like Laini Dahlin to knock down open shots. Nadia Bernard added a bucket in the run as well. The run led CSUN to its biggest lead of the game at 65-47 with 4:25 left to play. SJSU ended the game on a 8-1 run, but the CSUN lead was too big to overcome as the Matadors left the arena victorious.
NEWS AND NOTES

Nazario's 20 points is the seventh time already this season where she has scored in double figures.
CSUN outrebounded SJSU, 46-37.
Bernard, Morgan Edwards, Kelly Tumlin, and Saray White all had at least eight points.
CSUN had 10 steals to San Jose's three.
CSUN held SJSU's leading scorer Maya Anderson to 4-15 from the field.
Nine different Matadors tallied an assist.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH ANGIE NED
"Our primary focus is becoming a better defensive and rebounding team. Today was a demonstration of our improvement. Rita is a phenomenal shooter. We expect her to make it anytime she shoots it. When she does it enhances our momentum. We are going to continue to improve and take steps forward as the season goes along!"

UP NEXT
CSUN will be right back at Premier America Credit Union Arena as it will take on Northern Arizona, Thursday, December 18 at 6:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Jill Painter-Lopez on the call.

Matadors Best Spartans by Double-Digits, 66-55 in Non-Conference Win

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Team Stats

Rita Nazário

Saray White

Kelly Tumlin

Morgan Edwards

Players Mentioned

Nadia Bernard

Laini Dahlin

Morgan Edwards

Jite Gbemuotor

Kelly Tumlin

Saray White