Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team was finally able to put an end to its frustrating losing streak.
The Golden Eagles snapped a 10-game losing skid with a hard-fought 61-54 California Collegiate Athletic Association win over Cal State East Bay Friday night in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (7-16, 4-15 CCAA) led by seven points at halftime, by 11 points early in the second half and held on for their first victory since a win at San Francisco State on Jan. 8.
The win enabled the Golden Eagles to pull to within one-game of eighth-place Sonoma State in the conference. The top eight teams will qualify for the CCAA Championship Tournament.
Alisha Belt had 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles, while
Sonia Miller had 13 points and four assists.
Sarah Finlay scored 14 points to lead the Pioneers (4-17, 4-15 CCAA), who had come into Friday's game riding a two-game winning streak. Lauren Lucchesi had 11 oints and Marlene MacMillan had 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Cal State L.A. shot 42 percent from the floor (21-of-50) and held Cal State East Bay to just 26 percent shooting (13-of-50). The Golden Eagles also forced 18 turnovers, while committing only 12.
Cal State East Bay had a 42-35 rebounding edge and knocked down 23-of-31 free-throw attempts, while Cal State L.A. was 14-of-24.
The Golden Eagles struggled offensively early in the game and trailed, 5-4, six minutes into the contest. A 3-pointer by
Erika Ruiz gave the Golden Eagles the lead, and, after a pair of free throws by Frieda Li tied it, the Golden Eagles scored the next seven points to take a 14-7 lead. Baskets by Belt and
Danielle Snyder started the run and a 3-pointer by Miller ended it.
The Pioneers tied it at 14-14 after a 7-0 run and eventually took a 20-19 lead after a basket by MacMillan. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Snyder and
Michelle Salemi started the Golden Eagles on an 8-0 run to close the half. A basket by Miller made it 27-20 at halftime.
Cal State L.A. took its biggest lead at 31-20 with 19 minutes left, but the Pioneers got a 3-pointer by Finlay to make it 37-36 with 10:30 to go. The Golden Eagles still led by only one point, 50-49, with three minutes left, but scored the next four points to get some breathing room.
Angeline Jefferson hit two free throws and Belt hit a jumper to make it a 54-49 lead with 2:15 left.
A pair of free throws by Finlay cut the lead to 54-51, but Miller hit two free throws after an offensive rebound and the Golden Eagles led by at least four points the rest of the way.
Cal State L.A. will play its final home game of the season on Saturday against UC San Diego. The Golden Eagles will honor seniors Snyder, Salemi and #Brionna Baker# in pre-game ceremonies.
