TURLOCK -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team had been enjoying an impressive run on the road, but the good times ended Saturday against Cal State Stanislaus.
The Golden Eagles saw their five-game road winning streak snapped by the Warriors in a 67-60 California Collegiate Athletic Association loss in Fitzpatrick Arena. Cal State L.A. (9-9, 8-6 CCAA) lost for just the second time in its last eight games overall and had to settle for a season split with Cal State Stanislaus (6-12, 4-10 CCAA).
Chiara DiMarco had 15 points, but was the only Cal State L.A. player to reach double figures.
Kiah Knox had nine points and five rebounds.
Alysa Valentine had a game-high 23 points for Cal State Stanislaus, while Erika Larson had 17 points and 14 rebounds and Riley Holladay had 16 points.
The Golden Eagles trailed by 11 points with 5:50 remaining and cut the margin to just three points after a steal and layup by DiMarco with 52 seconds to go. Cal State L.A., though, saw its comeback bid end right there and missed its last five field-goal attempts of the game.
Cal State L.A. shot 40.3 percent for the game (25-of-62), while holding Cal State Stanislaus to just 36.2 percent (25-of-69). The Golden Eagles were just 6-of-22 from 3-point range, including just 4-of-16 in the second half. The Warriors were 7-of-32 from 3-point range and won despite making only 3-of-17 in the second half. Cal State L.A. was just 4-of-8 from the free-throw line, while Cal State Stanislaus was 10-of-21.
The Golden Eagles were out-rebounded, 45-39, and committed 15 turnovers to 13 for the Warriors.
Cal State L.A. started well and held an 18-12 lead in the first half. A 3-pointer by DiMarco gave the Golden Eagles a 14-9 lead and consecutive baskets by
Geena Greene and
Franeka Hall gave the Golden Eagles their six-point advantage. The Warriors scored the next eight points to take a 20-18 lead and, after a basket by
Kaija Powell tied it at 20-20, scored eight straight points to take a 28-20 lead. Overall, the Warriors had a 16-2 run to take control of the game.
The Golden Eagles trimmed the deficit to 34-29 at halftime and closed to within 37-35 early in the second half after baskets by Knox and DiMarco. Cal State Stanislaus, though, was able to regroup and built a 59-48 lead with 5:50 remaining. A 3-pointer by
Shanice Jackson started the Golden Eagles on their final comeback bid and two free throws and a basket by DiMarco got them within 60-55. A 3-pointer by Jackson got the Golden Eagles to within 62-58 with 1:26 to go and a steal and layup by DiMarco made it 63-60 with 52 seconds left.
The Warriors scored the final four points of the game to put the game away.
Cal State L.A. will return home for its next game, next Friday against conference-leading Humboldt State.