California State University Northridge Athletics
Tuesday, November 3
Northridge, Calif
6:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
vs
La Sierra
11/2/2026 11:42:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif -- CSUN women's basketball officially opens its 54th season on Tuesday when the Matadors host La Sierra in the 26-27 opener. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
FOR STARTERS
CSUN is now in its third year under head coach Angie Ned. Ned oversaw a Matador team that had a 10-20 overall record in 2025-26, a six-win jump from the year prior. Ned led the Matadors to their first postseason appearance since the 2022-23 season. CSUN is returning six players from last season and welcoming a six-player mix of transfers and freshmen. CSUN was picked to finish eighth in the conference in the preseason poll.
HI, I'M NEW HERE
A total of six newcomers are on this year's roster, that is good for half of the team. The transfers include Sibelle Zambie (Lehigh), Hodaya Kabada (UNLV), Kira-May Filemu (Hawai'i), Princess Okafor Nweze (South Alabama). The freshmen are Sophia Dignadice (Bishop Montgomery HS) and Carlotta Cocuzza (Turin, Italy)
WE HAVE A KNOCKDOWN SHOOTER
Rita Nazario is returning for her junior season after being a standout for the Matadors in the 2025-26 campaign. She led the team with 10.4 PPG, and in 3PT percentage at 35.4% per game. Nazario delivered several standout performances last season, including a season-high 21 points with six three pointers against San Diego (11/8/25). She also added 20 points vs. San Jose State (12/13/25) and 19 points against Life Pacific (11/26/25). The Spaniard played in every game and led the team in total points on the season with 311.
SHOW US THE WAY, SARAY
Saray White is one of two seniors on this year's roster and she is looking to shine in her fourth season at the collegiate level. Fresh off an All-Big West Honorable Mention last season, the Sacramento native was in the lab working all summer to bring that senior-leadership to this year's team. In 2025-26, she appeared in 25 games with 13 starts, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds while adding 43 steals and 28 blocks on the season. She scored a season-high 26 points against Cal State Fullerton on January 10. The 5-11 guard, along with Nazario, are looking to anchor the back court for the Matadors.
DEFENSE IS THE NAME OF OUR GAME
In the 2025-26 season, CSUN was second overall in the Big West in blocked shots with 124, just over four per game. The Matadors also shined in the steals department, with 9.97 per game, good for third in the conference. In terms of points allowed, CSUN was fourth in the Big West in that category as well. CSUN held opponents under 60 points seven different times last season.
ON THE CALL
Jill Painter-Lopez will be entering her fourth full season as the head play-by-play announcer for the Matadors. She began her duties with the team midway through the 2021-22 campaign. Painter-Lopez is also a sports reporter for CBS/KCAL. She is a former LA Daily News sports reporter and columnist, where she covered the CSUN men's basketball team and CSUN football team. She previously worked for Bally Sports West and was named the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Reporter of the Year in 2019. Sports journalist Graham Metzker will also provide color-commentary for the Matadors for most of the contests.
SCOUTING LA SIERRA
The Golden Eagles finished the 2025-26 season with a 6-18 record and a 3-13 record in conference play. However, La Sierra has already played twice this season and it has two victories. The Golden Eagles defeated Stanton University on Oct. 24, 59-46 and Bethesda University on Oct. 29, 91-42. Nov. 3rd's matchup against the Matadors will be their first road contest.
So far this season, Yasmine Garrett leads the pack, as she is averaging 16.0 PPG in the first two games. She is also tied for the lead on the team in three point makes with four. She also leads the team in rebounds with seven per game.
In terms of dishing the ball, Akilah Watson leads the team with eight total assists so far this season.
SERIES HISTORY: CSUN and La Sierra have only squared off one time, it was the first career head coaching game and first career head coaching win for Angie Ned. CSUN won 70-56 on Nov. 4, 2024 at home.
#GoMatadors
FOR STARTERS
CSUN is now in its third year under head coach Angie Ned. Ned oversaw a Matador team that had a 10-20 overall record in 2025-26, a six-win jump from the year prior. Ned led the Matadors to their first postseason appearance since the 2022-23 season. CSUN is returning six players from last season and welcoming a six-player mix of transfers and freshmen. CSUN was picked to finish eighth in the conference in the preseason poll.
HI, I'M NEW HERE
A total of six newcomers are on this year's roster, that is good for half of the team. The transfers include Sibelle Zambie (Lehigh), Hodaya Kabada (UNLV), Kira-May Filemu (Hawai'i), Princess Okafor Nweze (South Alabama). The freshmen are Sophia Dignadice (Bishop Montgomery HS) and Carlotta Cocuzza (Turin, Italy)
WE HAVE A KNOCKDOWN SHOOTER
Rita Nazario is returning for her junior season after being a standout for the Matadors in the 2025-26 campaign. She led the team with 10.4 PPG, and in 3PT percentage at 35.4% per game. Nazario delivered several standout performances last season, including a season-high 21 points with six three pointers against San Diego (11/8/25). She also added 20 points vs. San Jose State (12/13/25) and 19 points against Life Pacific (11/26/25). The Spaniard played in every game and led the team in total points on the season with 311.
SHOW US THE WAY, SARAY
Saray White is one of two seniors on this year's roster and she is looking to shine in her fourth season at the collegiate level. Fresh off an All-Big West Honorable Mention last season, the Sacramento native was in the lab working all summer to bring that senior-leadership to this year's team. In 2025-26, she appeared in 25 games with 13 starts, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds while adding 43 steals and 28 blocks on the season. She scored a season-high 26 points against Cal State Fullerton on January 10. The 5-11 guard, along with Nazario, are looking to anchor the back court for the Matadors.
DEFENSE IS THE NAME OF OUR GAME
In the 2025-26 season, CSUN was second overall in the Big West in blocked shots with 124, just over four per game. The Matadors also shined in the steals department, with 9.97 per game, good for third in the conference. In terms of points allowed, CSUN was fourth in the Big West in that category as well. CSUN held opponents under 60 points seven different times last season.
ON THE CALL
Jill Painter-Lopez will be entering her fourth full season as the head play-by-play announcer for the Matadors. She began her duties with the team midway through the 2021-22 campaign. Painter-Lopez is also a sports reporter for CBS/KCAL. She is a former LA Daily News sports reporter and columnist, where she covered the CSUN men's basketball team and CSUN football team. She previously worked for Bally Sports West and was named the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Reporter of the Year in 2019. Sports journalist Graham Metzker will also provide color-commentary for the Matadors for most of the contests.
SCOUTING LA SIERRA
The Golden Eagles finished the 2025-26 season with a 6-18 record and a 3-13 record in conference play. However, La Sierra has already played twice this season and it has two victories. The Golden Eagles defeated Stanton University on Oct. 24, 59-46 and Bethesda University on Oct. 29, 91-42. Nov. 3rd's matchup against the Matadors will be their first road contest.
So far this season, Yasmine Garrett leads the pack, as she is averaging 16.0 PPG in the first two games. She is also tied for the lead on the team in three point makes with four. She also leads the team in rebounds with seven per game.
In terms of dishing the ball, Akilah Watson leads the team with eight total assists so far this season.
SERIES HISTORY: CSUN and La Sierra have only squared off one time, it was the first career head coaching game and first career head coaching win for Angie Ned. CSUN won 70-56 on Nov. 4, 2024 at home.
#GoMatadors
Players Mentioned
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