LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team had its best offensive showing of the season Thursday night in a big California Collegiate Athletic Association win over Cal Poly Pomona.

The Golden Eagles surged to a season-high in points in a dazzling 90-69 win over the Broncos in University Gym. Cal State LA (9-10, 8-6 CCAA) shot nearly 54 percent for the game and recorded 25 assists on its 35 baskets, many of which came via layups.

Cal State LA bounced back nicely from its close call defeat at second-place Cal State East Bay on Saturday and remain tied for fourth in the conference with Cal State Dominguez Hills, just one-half game back of third-place Chico State, with five conference games remaining. The Golden Eagles also avenged an earlier loss at Cal Poly Pomona last month.

Yesenia Smith poured in a season-high 23 points to lead four Golden Eagles in double figures, while Anai Washington had 20 points and six rebounds. Nicole Flennaugh added 13 points and connected on three 3-pointers and Jada Johnson had a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. 

Chynna Cochran had 15 points to lead Cal Poly Pomona (6-13, 5-10 CCAA). Monica Todd had 12 points and Ally Bates added 10 points.

Lily Buggs had eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Golden Eagles, Alyssa Fisher had a season-high nine assists and all nine players who saw playing time for Cal State LA scored.

Cal State LA was a sizzling 35-of-65 from the floor, including 7-of-19 from 3-point range. Flennaugh and Yesenia Smith hit three 3-pointers each, while Iyanna Lamb had the other. The Golden Eagles were 13-of-19 from the free-throw line.

Cal Poly Pomona shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54) and was 7-of-19 from 3-point range. The Broncos were 18-of-23 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA had a 43-23 rebounding edge and also had an impressive 25 assists on the 35 made baskets.

The Golden Eagles scored the first four points of the game on baskets by Buggs and Raya Smith and never trailed. Five straight points by Yesenia Smith and a steal by Lamb that led to a layup by Melena Bland gave the Golden Eagles a 22-13 lead and they settled for a 22-15 lead after one quarter.

A fastbreak basket by Raya Smith gave the Golden Eagles their first double-digit lead of the game at 32-21, but Cal Poly Pomona made a big run and closed the gap to four points, 36-32. A jumper by Yesenia Smith halted the surge and Flennaugh hit a pair of 3-pointers sandwiched around a 3-pointer by Lamb. Flennaugh's second 3-pointer with one second left in the half gave the Golden Eagles a 47-34 halftime lead.

The Broncos opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Ally Bates to make it 47-37, but the Golden Eagles responded with a pair of free throws by Johnson and a layup by Buggs to boost the lead to 14. A 3-;pointer by Flennaugh, a basket by Buggs and a 3-pointer by Yesenia Smith increased the lead to 20 points at 59-39 and a late layup by Yesenia Smith gave the Golden Eagles a 68-46 lead entering the final quarter.

Cal State LA led by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter and closed the game by shooting 64 percent in the final period.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino at 1 p.m.





 



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