Strong Second Half Powers CSUN Past Cal Poly, 65-50

Thursday, February 5

Northridge, Calif

6:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

7-14,3-9Big West

Cal Poly

3-19,1-11Big West

Cal Poly

CSUN

Photo by: Bella A Enriquez

Strong Second Half Powers CSUN Past Cal Poly, 65-50

2/5/2026 9:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif --- The CSUN women's basketball team (7-14, 3-9 Big West) snapped a six game losing streak when it defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs (3-19, 1-11 Big West), 65-50 after scoring 50 points in the second half. CSUN won by 15 despite entering intermission down 26-15.

Four CSUN players scored in double-figures with Jite Gbemuotor leading the charge with 15 points and 16 rebounds, her fourth double-double of the season. Morgan Edwards had 14, Saray White had 13 and Mariona Cos-Morales had 12 points. CSUN dominated in the paint with 38 of their 65 points coming on inside shots.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first quarter, defense was the name of the game, with no team earning a true advantage. Only two players from Cal Poly scored all 12 points in the quarter. Charish Thompson had eight points and Vanessa McManus had four as the Mustangs ended the first quarter up by two at 12-10. The Matadors had balanced scoring in the first period with five different players scoring points. Rita Nazario hit the lone Matador shot from distance in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Morgan Edwards drove in for a layup to tie the game up at 12 with 8:58 remaining. Cal Poly then went on its biggest run of the game to end the half, a 14-3 run that put the Mustangs on top by a score of 26-15 heading into the break.

SECOND HALF
Cal Poly began the third quarter on a 9-2 run, which put the Mustangs up by 18 at 35-17 with eight minutes left to play in the period, their largest lead of the game so far and would end up being their largest lead throughout the whole game.

Then, CSUN flipped a switch. The Matadors countered with a 15-0 run, enforcing an engulfing full-court press that stifled the Mustangs, causing Cal Poly to commit turnover after turnover. CSUN had five steals in that run alone. The home team shared the love as well, as five different players scored those 15 points. The run brought CSUN to within three points at 35-32 with 2:22 remaining. Cal Poly finally made a layup with 2:09 remaining, but CSUN then went on a mini 6-0 run to take the lead via an Edwards layup to make it 38-37 game with 38 seconds left in the third. Cal Poly did grab the lead once again as the third quarter ended, but it was a narrow one point lead at 41-40 heading into the game's final 10 minutes.
In the fourth quarter, CSUN had all the momentum. Cos-Morales sunk a shot from downtown with 9:42 left to play to bring the Matadors the lead once again at 43-41. Cal Poly then tied it with two free throws, but it would be the last time the game was that close. CSUN went on a dominating 21-5 run, which saw five more steals from the Matadors that was once again thanks to the full-court press. CSUN went 7-9 from the field in the run. The Matadors then held a 64-48 lead with just under a minute left to play.

Cal Poly ended its cold spell with a floating jumpshot with 43 seconds left, but the damage was done. CSUN ended the game with a free throw and the 15 point win.

NOTES OF THE GAME

Gbemuotor matched her career high in rebounds with 16, her most since opening night against Bethesda (CA).
Cos-Morales was one point shy of tying her career high at 12.
Cos-Morales set a career high in assists with seven.
Erika Aspajo matched her career high in steals with six.
Aspajo matched her season high in minutes with 37.
CSUN's 20 steals are the most in a game this season
CSUN's 50 points in the second half matched the entire point total of game for the Mustangs.
This was CSUN's first win at home of 2026.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH ANGIE NED
"I talked the team through our offensive errors and challenged them to be better on both sides of the ball. We're a good team when we can defend and execute easy plays in transition. Getting consecutive stops adds to the team's confidence and energy."

UP NEXT
CSUN travels to UC Riverside for a game at SRC Arena on Saturday, February 7. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.