LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team used a familiar formula while posting another impressive California Collegiate Athletic Association victory.
The Golden Eagles started quickly and maintained a healthy lead most of the way in a 73-58 win over Cal State San Bernardino Saturday in University Gym. Cal State LA (10-10, 9-6 CCAA), much like it did in a win over Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, never trailed and led by as many as 21 points in the second half. The Golden Eagles increased their advantage in each quarter and won for the second time in as many contests against Cal State San Bernardino (7-15, 4-12 CCAA).
Cal State LA won for the fourth time in its last five games and remained right on the heels of third-place Chico State in the CCAA race. The Golden Eagles moved into sole possession of fourth place, one-half game behind the Wildcats with four conference games remaining. The top six teams will qualify for the CCAA Tournament.
Cal State LA got scoring contributions from eight players on Saturday, led by a team-high 17 points from
Lily Buggs.
Nicole Flennaugh added 16 points and hit two more 3-pointers, while
Raya Smith had 10 points and four rebounds.
Jaida Jackson had 17 points to lead the Coyotes, while Destiny Jackson had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Jada Johnson led everyone with 13 rebounds and just missed another double-double with eight points for the Golden Eagles.
Anai Washington and
Iyanna Lamb had eight points each. Lamb was 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
Cal State LA shot 42.2 percent for the game (27-of-64) and was 4-of-13 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 15-of-22 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Bernardino shot 37.5 percent for the game (24-of-64) and was 3-of-18 from 3-point range. The Coyotes were 7-of-12 from the line. Cal State LA had a 45-35 rebounding edge and committed 16 turnovers to 18 for Cal State San Bernardino.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead and never looked back. Buggs opened the game with a layup, Flennaugh hit a pair of jumpers and Buggs knocked down two free throws to account for the game-opening surge. The Coyotes responded by scoring the next seven points, but a layup by Buggs and a jumper by Johnson made it 12-7 after one quarter.
A jumper by
Yesenia Smith, a layup by
Melena Bland and a 3-pointer by Lamb gave the Golden Eagles their first double-digit lead of the game at 23-11. The Golden Eagles had leads as large as 12 points in the second quarter and settled for a 32-22 halftime lead.
Flennaugh completed a rare four-point play to give the Golden Eagles some breathing room and that was followed up by a basket by Johnson and another by Flennaugh to make it 42-24 with 7:21 left in the third period. A fastbreak basket by
Raya Smith gave the Golden Eagles a 51-32 lead late in the third period and the Golden Eagles took a 54-40 lead into the final period.
Cal State LA led by double-digit margins the rest of the way and took its biggest lead, 63-42, after a pair of free throws by Bland with 6:14 remaining in the game.
Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a big home game against Chico State.
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