LA MIRADA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team opened its 2019-20 season on a bright note with a victory in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge at Biola University.
The Golden Eagles scored the first nine points of the game and never looked back in a 72-67 victory over host Biola on Friday in Chase Gymnasium. Cal State LA (1-0) never trailed and led by as many as 12 points, but the Golden Eagles never could completely shake the Eagles, who stayed within striking distance throughout.
Sydney Bordonaro led three Golden Eagles in double figures with 21 points, while
Alyssa Fisher had 17 points and
Nicole Flennaugh had 16.
Jazz Benn led three Eagles in double figures with 16 points.
Cal State LA was 23-of-57 (40.4 percent) from the floor, including 9-of-24 from 3-point range. Biola was 22-of-64 (34.4 percent) overall and 11-of-36 from behind the arc. The Golden Eagles bounced back from a frigid first-half at the free-throw line and made 17-of-30 for the game. Cal State LA was just 1-of-8 in the first half, but made 16-of-22 in the second half. Biola was 12-of-15 from the line.
Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 47-39, and committed 15 turnovers to 18 for the Eagles.
Rachael DiRegolo had four points, nine rebounds and three blocks for the Golden Eagles.
Flennaugh scored the first five points of the game, Fisher added a 3-pointer and
Mackenzie Barnes hit a free throw to stake the Golden Eagles to a 9-0 lead. Cal State LA led 15-12 after the first quarter after a late layup by
Amiete Nyingifa.Â
A Fisher 3-pointer extended the lead to 29-21 in the second quarter and the Golden Eagles settled for a 29-25 halftime lead.
Bordonaro hit a 3-pointer and
Rebeccah DiRegolo made a free throw to boost a 45-40 lead to 49-40 and the Golden Eagles took the nine-point advantage into the final period.
Another 3-pointer by Bordonaro gave the Golden Eagles a 52-40 advantage early in the fourth quarter and Cal State LA kept Biola at arm's length the rest of the way.
Cal State LA will conclude play in the tourney with a game against Concordia on Saturday at 1 p.m.
