SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team experienced defeat for the first time this season in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest at Cal State San Bernardino.
The Golden Eagles fell behind after a 20-0 first-half run and didn't recover in a 74-52 loss to the Coyotes Thursday night in Coussoulis Arena. Cal State LA (3-1, 1-1 CCAA) held a 14-8 lead late in the first quarter, but Cal State San Bernardino scored the next 20 points to take a 28-14 advantage and never looked back.
Rachael DiRegolo, the CCAA's Player of the Week, had a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Golden Eagles, while
Christine Delapina had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Jasmine Sauser had a game-high 27 points to lead Cal State San Bernardino (2-3, 1-0 CCAA).
Mackenzie Barnes had eight points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA shot just 32.3 percent (20-of-62) and was just 2-of-16 from 3-point range. Cal State San Bernardino shot 46.2 percent (28-of-60) and made 10 of its 20 attempts from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 10-of-15 from the free-throw line, while the Coyotes were 8-of-9. Cal State LA had a 42-35 rebounding edge, but committed 17 turnovers to 11 for the Coyotes. Cal State San Bernardino scored 27 points off Cal State LA turnovers.
The game-deciding stretch came early. After 3-pointers by Barnes and
Madison Adams gave the Golden Eagles a 14-8 lead with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter, the Coyotes took advantage of three straight Cal State LA turnovers and closed out the period with an 11-0 run to take a 19-14 lead.
The Coyotes kept it up in the second period and scored the first nine points of the period to take a 28-14 lead. A jumper by
Jo Ana Adams stopped the streak and snapped a six-minute scoreless stretch.
Chiderah Uzowuru scored on an offensive basket to make it 28-18, but the Coyotes stretched their lead to 35-24 lead by halftime.
The Golden Eagles were 0-for-8 from 3-point range in the second half and Cal State San Bernardino increased its lead.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at Cal State East Bay.
