Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team was unable to shake its losing streak Saturday night, but the Golden Eagles couldn't be faulted for their effort.

 

The Golden Eagles were held to just 32.1 percent shooting, but they battled to the end in a 66-56 California Collegiate Athletic Association loss to Cal State Monterey Bay. Cal State L.A. (6-16, 3-15 CCAA) lost its 10^th straight game, but played well in defeat.

 

Cal State Monterey Bay (20-2, 16-2 CCAA) kept its hold on second place in the conference, just one-half game behind Cal Poly Pomona. The Otters were an efficient 51 percent from the floor, including an impressive 8-of-16 from behind the arc.

 

Cal State L.A. was 9-of-20 from behind the arc and managed to stay within striking distance throughout much of the game. The Golden Eagles forced 14 turnovers while committing only seven. The Otters held a 35-31 rebounding edge.

 

Lacy Ramon had 16 points and four rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Lorin Hammer had 12 points and Sonia Miller finished with 10 points.

 

London Houchin and Holly Holcomb had 14 points each to lead the Otters, while Julie Heurung had 12 points and LaShawn Johnson had 11 points.

 

A 3-pointer by Danielle Snyder staked the Golden Eagles to an early 10-6 lead and a pair of free throws by Miller kept Cal State L.A. ahead, 12-9. Cal State Monterey Bay, though, scored the next nine points to take an 18-12 lead and a 3-pointer by Houchin gave the Otters a 23-15 advantage.

Cal State L.A. responded with a 12-3 run to take a 27-26 lead following Ramon's second 3-pointer in a row, but Cal State Monterey Bay rebounded by closing the half on a 14-2 run to take a 40-29 halftime lead. Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Otters their 11-point halftime edge.

 

The Golden Eagles started the second half strongly and pulled to within four points, 42-38, with 14:50 remaining following a pair of free throws by Jefferson. The Otters opened the lead back to 11 points after a basket by Johnson and, after a 3-pointer by Hammer made it an eight-point game at 51-43, the Otters went on a 7-1 spurt to take a 14-point lead, 58-44, with five minutes to go. Cal State Monterey Bay opened up its biggest lead, 63-47, with 3:20 to go. Cal State L.A. had one last surge left and got a free throw by Snyder, a 3-pointer by Hammer, a basket by Ramon and another 3-pointer by Hammer to close to within eight points, 64-56, in the final minute of play.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday with a home game against Cal State East Bay.