LA JOLLA -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team was unable to snap its current losing skid and fell in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game at UC San Diego.
The Golden Eagles fell behind early and never could get untracked in a 69-57 loss to UC San Diego on Saturday in RIMAC Arena. Cal State L.A. (9-15, 8-12 CCAA) lost its seventh straight game and was unable to complete a rare season sweep over UC San Diego (16-9, 14-6 CCAA).
Chiara DiMarco had 12 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while
Franeka Hall had 10 points and six rebounds.
Ali Orlich had nine points and
Kiah Knox had six points and seven rebounds.
McKennan Bertsch had 14 points and 10 rebounds for UC San Diego, while Dana Webster had 10 points and nine rebounds and Farrah Shokoor had eight points and nine rebounds.
Cal State L.A. shot just 33.8 percent (23-of-68), but the Golden Eagles also limited UC San Diego to just 34.4 percent (22-of-64). Cal State L.A. was 6-of-21 from 3-point range, while UC San Diego was 6-of-30.
The game was decided by two big statistical advantages for the Tritons. UC San Diego had a 61-34 rebounding edge and made 19-of-24 free-throw attempts to just 5-of-11 for the Golden Eagles. Cal State L.A. committed 15 turnovers, but forced 24 by the Tritons.
The Golden Eagles were tied only twice, at 2-2 and 4-4 after baskets by Knox. UC San Diego responded by scoring the next four points before a 3-pointer by
Samantha Lee made it 8-7.
UC San Diego then went on a 16-4 run to open up a 24-11 lead before a 3-pointer by Orlich made it 24-14 and baskets by Hall and
Kiara Harewood brought the Golden Eagles to within 26-18. A 3-pointer by DiMarco kept the margin at 32-23 before UC San Diego extended its lead to 37-25 at halftime.
A 3-pointer by DiMarco kept the Golden Eagles to within 58-45 and a layup by
Bree Parsons brought the Golden Eagles to within 58-47, but Cal State L.A. couldn't get any closer.
Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday with a home game against San Francisco State.