CARSON -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team came up big down the stretch and posted an important California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The Golden Eagles got a go-ahead three-point play from
Christine Delapina that broke a late 48-48 tie and went on to a 57-50 victory over the Toros on Saturday in the Torodome. Cal State LA (11-12, 10-7 CCAA) remains in a tie for fourth place in the CCAA with Chico State and completed a season sweep over Cal State Dominguez Hills (10-12, 8-9 CCAA).
Cal State LA won despite a tough shooting night, especially from distance. The Golden Eagles were just 1-of-16 from 3-point range. Their woes were also present at the free-throw line, where the Golden Eagles were just 12-of-27. Fortunately for the Golden Eagles, they made their free throws when they really counted, going 7-of-10 over the last four minutes.
Delapina led the Golden Eagles with 13 points, including 10 over the final four minutes. After her three-point play gave the Golden Eagles a 51-48 lead, Delapina followed with a driving layup to increase the lead to 53-48 with one minute left.
Rebeccah DiRegolo had 10 points, four rebounds and four blocks, while
Rachael DiRegolo had nine points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Zhane Carter had 17 points for the Toros, while Taylor Farris had 14 points.
Rikke Fabricius just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Cal State LA shot 40 percent for the game (22-of-55) even though the Golden Eagles missed 15 of 16 from 3-point range. Cal State Dominguez Hills shot 30.8 percent (20-of-65) and was 5-of-18 from 3-point range. The Toros were 5-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Cal State LA had a 45-42 rebounding edge and committed 15 turnovers to 13 for the Toros. The Golden Eagles had eight blocks and seven steals.
A layup by
Rachael DiRegolo and a 3-pointer by Delapina gave the Golden Eagles an 11-8 lead after one quarter and the Golden Eagles closed the first half with baskets by Fabricius,
Mackenzie Barnes and
Rachael DiRegolo to take a 25-23 halftime lead.
An offensive rebound and basket by
Chiderah Uzowuru gave the Golden Eagles a 36-35 lead after three quarters.
The Golden Eagles fell behind, 44-39, with 6:34 to go, but a free throw by Fabricius, a layup by Barnes and two free throws by Delapina tied it at 44-44 with four minutes to go and the game was tied again at 48-48 before Delapina's game-turning three-point play.
A layup by Delapina with 1:06 left made it 53-48 and Delapina made three of four free-throws down the stretch to put the game away.
Cal State LA will return to action with a road game at Cal State East Bay on Friday.