CARSON -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team completed a successful weekend in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The Golden Eagles used a late fourth-quarter surge to beat Concordia-Irvine, 65-62, Saturday night in the Torodome. Cal State LA (2-0) led by as many as nine points in the first half, but the game was tight throughout with neither team able to earn a double-digit lead.
Jo Ana Adams had 14 points and six rebounds to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures.
Chiderah Uzowuru and
Madison Adams had 13 points each, while
Rachael DiRegolo had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Cal State LA shot 36.5 percent (23-of-63) and took only nine 3-pointers, making two. Concordia shot just 27.1 percent (19-of-70) and was 7-of-32 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 17-of-26 from the free-throw line, while the Eagles were 17-of-25. Cal State LA had a 48-43 rebounding edge and committed 11 turnovers to seven for Concordia.
The Golden Eagles took their biggest lead in the first quarter at 17-8 after a basket by
Rebeccah DiRegolo. Concordia, though, cut the lead to 17-11 by the end of the period and took a 33-29 lead late in the second period. Baskets by
Madison Adams and Uzowuru tied the game at halftime, 33-33.
Both the third and fourth quarters were both tight. A three-point play by
Jo Ana Adams gave the Golden Eagles a 46-43 lead, but the Eagles scored the next four points before a free throw by
Rebeccah DiRegolo tied it entering the fourth period.
A basket by
Rachael DiRegolo put the Golden Eagles ahead, 49-47 and, after the Eagles tied it at 49-49, Uzowuru scored the next five points to give the Golden Eagles a 54-49 lead. Concordia scored the next six points to take a 55-54 lead, but free throws by Uzowuru and
Jo Ana Adams and an offensive rebound and basket by Uzowuru gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good. Two free throws by Fisher pushed the lead to 62-58 in the final minute and she hit two more free throws with 31 seconds left to give Cal State LA a 64-59 lead with 31 seconds to go.
Cal State LA will return to action in the Golden Eagles' home and conference opener on Saturday, Nov. 24, against Stanislaus State at 1 p.m.
