FAIRBANKS, ALASKA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team had its chances to even its record on its tough two-game trip to Alaska.
The Golden Eagles trailed by only six points entering the fourth quarter, but the Nanooks used a 25-15 advantage over the final 10 minutes to post a 75-59 victory Saturday at AK Airlines Court. Cal State LA (0-2) pulled to within three points, 55-52, with seven minutes to go, but Alaska Anchorage scored the next 14 points to put the game away.
Rikke Fabricius scored 18 points for the Golden Eagles, while
Da'Jah Jackson had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Autumn Childers had 17 points to lead four Alaska Fairbanks (2-0) players in double figures. Kaillee Skjold had 13 points and 14 rebounds, Jordan Wilson had 11 points and eight rebounds and Jaylee Mays had 11 points.
Marina LaPuzza had nine points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while
Christine Delapina had eight points.
Cal State LA shot 42.6 percent for the game (23-of-54), but made only 2-of-12 from 3-point range. Alaska Fairbanks shot 44.2 percent (19-of-43) and hit 5-of-10 from 3-point range. Alaska Fairbanks had a big edge at the free-throw line, knocking down 32-of-39, while Cal State LA was 11-of-21.
Alaska Fairbanks had a 32-21 rebounding edge.
Fabricius scored four early points to give the Golden Eagles a pair of one-point leads and Jackson hit a 3-pointer to tie things at 7-7. Another layup by Fabricius tied it again at 9-9, but Alaska Fairbanks scored the next seven points and never trailed again.
Cal State LA trailed by 11 points midway through the second period before a 3-pointer by
Karina Moreno cut into the lead. A layup by
Rachael DiRegolo and a late layup by Delapina pulled the Golden Eagles to within 30-24 at halftime.
A layup by
Mackenzie Barnes got the Golden Eagles to within two points at 30-28 in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but Alaska Fairbanks pulled away again to a 10-point lead before a pair of free throws by Delapina made it 50-44 entering the final period.
Back-to-back layups by Jackson and Barnes made it 55-52 with 7:23 to go, but Alaska Fairbanks went on its game-deciding 14-0 run before hitting some late free throws to account for the final margin.
Cal State LA will play its home opener on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. against Azusa Pacific.
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