LOS ANGELES – Cal State LA's women's basketball team was on the verge of completing its first weekend sweep in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, only to fall victim to a late rally from Humboldt State.
The Golden Eagles were outscored 27-15 in the fourth quarter and fell to the 'Jacks, 65-63, Saturday night in the Eagles Nest. Cal State LA took a three-point lead on a tiebreaking 3-pointer by Franeka Hall with 49 seconds left, but Humboldt State got a go-ahead 3-pointer by Amanda Kuntz with four seconds remaining that proved to be the game-winner.
Cal State LA (4-11, 2-7 CCAA) led by as many as 14 points midway through the third quarter, but Humboldt State (8-9, 5-5 CCAA) got hot in the fourth quarter and knocked down six of its eight 3-pointers in the game in the final 10 minutes.
Hall led the Golden Eagles with 17 points, three rebounds and five steals, while Samantha Lee poured in 12 points on the strength of four 3-pointers. Rikke Fabricius had 10 points and five rebounds.
Kunst had 17 points and six rebounds for the 'Jacks, including the big game-winning 3-pointer. Humboldt State had scoring contributions from all 11 players that got playing time on Saturday.
Geena Greene had eight points and four rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Ali Orlich had six points and four assists. Christine Delapina had a team-high six assists and six rebounds.
Cal State LA, which was playing without two starters after losing another to injury in Friday's win over Cal Poly Pomona, shot 37.9 percent for the game (22-of-58), but just 33 percent in the second half. The Golden Eagles were 8-of-22 from 3-point range for the game, but only 2-of-10 in the second half. Cal State LA was 11-of-18 from the free-throw line.
Humboldt State shot 37 percent for the game (20-of-54) and was 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) from 3-point range. The 'Jacks, though, were 7-of-14 from 3-point range in the second half, with six of those 3-pointers coming in the final period.
Humboldt State also enjoyed a 43-30 rebounding edge. Cal State LA committed only 13 turnovers to 19 for Humboldt State.
The Golden Eagles started quickly and led for the vast majority of the game. Cal State LA took an early 14-6 lead after five straight points by Hall and led 14-10 after one quarter.
Cal State LA extended its lead to 32-22 by halftime after late baskets by Geena Greene and Sami Oliver.
Cal State LA took its biggest lead at 41-27 after a steal by Oliver led to a fastbreak layup by Orlich with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles still maintained a 48-38 lead heading in to the final period.
The 'Jacks, though, got consecutive 3-pointers (two by Kiana Brown and one by Jessica Johnson) to take their first lead, 51-50, with 6:07 to play. A free throw by Fabricius tied it for the Golden Eagles, but Neika Puryear hit a 3-pointer to give the 'Jacks a 54-51 lead.
Cal State LA responded and regained the lead after a layup by Fabricius and a pair of free throws by Greene made it 55-54 with four minutes to go.
After Hall scored on a jumper to give Cal State LA a 59-56 lead, Kunst tied it with a 3-pointer with 1:14 to go. Hall then hit a 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 62-59 lead with 49 seconds remaining. An offensive rebound basket by Teylor McMiller cut the margin to 62-61 before a free throw by Orlich made it 63-61 with 11 seconds remaining.
Kunst then hit her go-ahead 3-pointer after a timeout with four seconds left and later added a free throw after a Cal State LA turnover to account for the final margin.
Cal State LA will return to action next Friday with a road game at Cal State San Bernardino.
