AZUSA – Cal State LA's women's basketball team gave unbeaten Azusa Pacific all it could handle before falling in its 2015-16 season opener.
The Golden Eagles erased all of a 10-point halftime deficit and entered the fourth quarter tied before dropping a 76-71 decision in the Felix Event Center. Cal State LA (0-1) was even with 9:40 to go, but Azusa Pacific (3-0) went on an 11-4 run over the next five minutes to take control of the game.
The Golden Eagles had tremendous balance and all five starters scored in double figures.
Franeka Hall had a team-high 17 points,
Bree Parsons had 12 points,
Kiah Knox had 11 points and six rebounds,
Chiara DiMarco had 11 points and four assists and
Rikke Fabricius had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Kelly Hardeman had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Cougars, while Joelle Tampien had 18 points as well.
Cal State LA shot 44.1 percent for the game (30-of-68) and made 8-of-22 attempts from 3-point range. Azusa Pacific shot 39.1 percent for the game (25-of-64) and made 11-of-25 from 3-point range.
The Cougars had a big edge at the free throw line, making 15-of-23 attempts, while Cal State LA was just 3-of-7.
Azusa Pacific had a 46-38 rebounding edge and committed 19 turnovers to 17 for the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles started quickly and opened up a 24-19 lead in the first quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers by
Samantha Lee and
Ali Orlich and a free throw by
Geena Greene enabled the Golden Eagles to close out the quarter on a 7-0 run.
Azusa Pacific, though, rebounded with a big edge in the second quarter, outscored the Golden Eagles, 27-12, in the period to take a 46-36 halftime lead.
Cal State LA, though, dominated the third period to even things up, outscoring the Cougars, 22-12. The Golden Eagles opened the half on a 15-2 run and took a 51-48 lead after a basket by Fabricius. After Azusa Pacific took a three-point lead, a 3-pointer by Hall tied things up at 58-58 entering the final quarter.
A jumper by DiMarco tied the game for a final time at 60-60 early in the fourth quarter, but Azusa Pacific scored the next four points to take the lead for good.
Cal State LA will return to action in its home opener on Friday against Concordia at 7 p.m.