Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team simply dug itself too large of a hole Saturday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest with Sonoma State.

 

The Golden Eagles fell behind by 20 points in the second half and saw a late rally come up short in a 75-68 loss to the Seawolves in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (6-10, 3-9 CCAA) was able to close to within five points with more than two minutes left, but Sonoma State (6-10, 4-8 CCAA) was able to hit its free throws down the stretch and maintain its advantage.

 

The loss was a costly one for the Golden Eagles, who fell one game behind Sonoma State for eighth place in the conference. The top eight teams qualify for the CCAA Championship Tournament.

 

Lacy Ramon had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Golden Eagles, while Erika Ruiz had 15 to go along with two assists and two steals. Alisha Belt just missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

 

Sonoma State got a game-high 22 points, three rebounds and three assists from Jaclyn Bisordi, while Aly Conway had 17 points and eight rebounds. Aly Henington and Oly Larkin had 11 points each for the Seawolves.

 

The Golden Eagles shot just 33.8 percent for the game against the Seawolves' tough defense, while Sonoma State hit 45.8 percent of its shots. The Seawolves also knocked down 23-of-30 from the free-throw line, while Cal State L.A. was an efficient 15-of-17.

 

Cal State L.A. fell behind quickly and Sonoma State earned its first double-digit advantage at 16-6 just four minutes into the game. Cal State L.A. made a run and sliced the deficit to three points at 21-18 after a basket by Shatori Dearman, but Sonoma State led by as many as 12 points, 34-22, late in the first half before settling for a 36-25 advantage at halftime.

 

Sonoma State built a 20-point lead twice in the second half, the last time at 53-33 following a 3-pointer by Larkin with 12 minutes to play.

 

The Golden Eagles still trailed by 15 points, 58-43, before embarking on a 15-7 run that was capped by a pair of free throws by Ramon that made it 63-58 with 2:30 remaining. Sonoma State, though, responded by scoring the next five points to regain control.

 

A 3-pointer by Ruiz made it 71-65 with one minute left, but the Golden Eagles couldn't get any closer.

 

Cal State L.A. will play its next four games away from home, beginning with a road game at Cal State Stanislaus next Friday.