Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team endured a rough return to the Eagles Nest Friday night in a key California Collegiate Athletic Association game.
 
The Golden Eagles suffered their most lopsided loss of the season, a 92-60 defeat to Chico State, and lost for the fourth time in their last five games. Cal State L.A. (14-9, 12-7 CCAA) slipped a game out of third place with the loss. The defeat also came just two days after the Golden Eagles were ranked fifth in the official NCAA Division II West Region rankings, the first time Cal State L.A. has been ranked since 2006.
 
Chico State, meanwhile, exacted some revenge – and then some -- for a one-point loss to the Golden Eagles in Chico earlier this season. The Wildcats (14-9, 11-8 CCAA) also pulled to within one game of Cal State L.A. and Cal Poly Pomona for fourth in the conference. The top four teams will host first-round CCAA Championship Tournament games.
 
Lacy Ramon had 11 points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Samantha Hansen had 11 points and three rebounds. Jazzi Johnson had eight points and nine rebounds.
 
Chico State had five players score in double figures, led by McKenzie Dalthorp, who poured in a game-high 20 points. Jazmine Miller had 13 points and four rebounds, Crystal Sewell had 11 points and Synchro Bull and Ymonn Davidson-Mays had 10 points each.
 
Chico State was explosive on offense and knocked down 56.9 percent of its shots (33-of-58), including 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were also 19-of-24 from the free-throw line to complete an impressive shooting performance.
 
Cal State L.A., meanwhile, struggled to score consistently against Chico State's active defense. The Golden Eagles shot 44.4 percent in the first half (12-of-27) and then made just 10-of-34) in the second half.
 
The Golden Eagles trailed, 41-27, at halftime and were never able to make a sustained run in the second half.
 
The Golden Eagles started reasonably well and took an early 6-2 lead based on the strength of four points from Devin Riezebos and a basket from Johnson. A basket by Ramon made it 8-6, but the Wildcats scored the next seven points and never trailed again.
 
Cal State L.A. fell behind by 13 points, 28-15, and made a mini-run behind a basket by Williams and 3-pointer by Ramon to close to within 28-20. A three-point play by Alisha Belt kept the Golden Eagles within eight points, 33-25, but the Wildcats closed the half on an 8-2 run to boost the lead to 41-27 at halftime.
 
The Wildcats scored the opening basket of the second half and maintained large leads the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles trailed by 20 or more points for the final 13 minutes of the game.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State Stanislaus. The Golden Eagles will honor their four seniors – Erika Ruiz, Lorin Hammer, Lacy Ramon and Jazzi Johnson – in pregame ceremonies.