Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team came up short in its bid to upset No. 20 Chico State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest Thursday.

 

The Golden Eagles limited the Wildcats to just 33.8 percent shooting, but Cal State L.A. also struggled offensively in a 68-58 loss to No. 20 Chico State in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (5-4, 2-3 CCAA) shot just 35.1 percent and lost the rebounding battle, 54-42.

 

Chico State (8-1, 5-0 CCAA) was also more effective from behind the 3-point arc, knocking down eight 3-pointers to just four for the Golden Eagles. Cal State L.A. had 17 turnovers, while Chico State committed 15.

 

The difference in the game was rebounding, where the Wildcats collected 19 offensive rebounds and converted many of them into points.

 

Lacy Ramon had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Shatori Dearman had 11 points and seven rebounds and Gretchen Tiernan had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

 

Taylor Lydon had a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Wildcats, who also got 10 points from Jazmine Miller in 16 solid minutes off the bench.

 

The Golden Eagles led by as many as six points in the half, taking their biggest lead at 28-22 after back-to-back baskets by Dearman. The Wildcats, though, got the final four points of the half after a basket by Analise Riezebos and a pair of free throws by Molly Collins to make it 28-26 at halftime.

 

A 3-pointer to open the second half by Courtney Hamilton gave the Wildcats a short-lived 29-28 lead, but two free throws by Ramon put the Golden Eagles back ahead, 30-29.

 

Chico State then scored the next four points and never trailed again. The game was tied four more times, the final time after a basket by Karmen Gunn that made it 47-47 with 11 minutes remaining.

 

The Wildcats responded by scoring the next seven points, six of them coming via 3-pointers by Katie Girten and Harrison.

 

Cal State L.A. sliced the deficit to just three points, 54-51, with three minutes to go after baskets by Brionna Baker and Ramon. Chico State, though, scored the next eight points to put the game out of reach. Erika Ruiz hit a 3-pointers in the final minute to make it 65-58, but Chico State hit three free throws the rest of the way to account for the final margin.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday with a conference game against Cal State Stanislaus at 12:30 p.m.