Box Score
POMONA -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team didn't have to look far to explain its loss to Northwest Nazarene Friday night in a CCAA/GNAC Classic game at Cal Poly Pomona.
The Golden Eagles committed 23 turnovers and missed 11 of 13 free-throw attempts and fell to Northwest Nazarene, 71-45, in Kellogg Gym. Cal State L.A. (1-7) dropped its fifth straight game. while Northwest Nazarene improved to 6-3.
The Golden Eagles shot 41.7 percent from the field (20-of-48) and held Northwest Nazarene to just 37.7 percent (23-61). The teams were even in rebounding, 38-38. Cal State L.A., though, could not overcome its struggles at the free-throw line and turning the ball over. The Golden Eagles committed 23 turnovers to just 10 for Northwest Nazarene and while they were only 2-of-13 from the line, Northwest Nazarene was an efficient 20-of-25.
Shyneese Walter had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Amber Whittington had eight points and four rebounds and Cassie Suffolk had eight points and one rebound. Joy Mason had a team-high nine rebounds to go along with three points.
Mallory Whipple had a game-high 14 points for Northwest Nazarene, while Jennifer Williams added 11 points. Three other Crusaders scored nine points each.
The Golden Eagles never led in the contest and were tied twice, 3-3 after a 3-pointer by Sarita Stamps in the early-going and 21-21 after a basket by Shatori Dearman with 5:20 remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles had erased a 20-12 deficit with a 9-1 run that included a 3-pointer by Whittington and baskets by Jameiz Terrell, Whittington and Dearman.
Northwest Nazarene, though, went on a 9-0 run to close the half for a 30-21 halftime lead and the Crusaders opened the second half with a 3-pointer to stretch its lead to 33-21. A 3-pointer by Walter made it 39-31 with 16:52 to go, but Northwest Nazarene scored the next eight points to take control of the game.
Cal State L.A. trailed by as many as 28 points down the stretch.
The Golden Eagles will return to action on Saturday with a game against Western Oregon at Cal Poly Pomona.
