LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team took command with a dominating second-quarter performance and picked up a big California Collegiate Athletic Association win over Chico State.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Wildcats, 21-5, in the second quarter and never looked back in an impressive 72-52 win Thursday night in University Gym. Cal State LA (11-11, 10-6 CCAA) picked up its third straight conference win and moved into third place in the conference with three games remaining. The Golden Eagles moved one-half game ahead of Chico State and can clinch a spot in the six-team conference tournament with a win on Saturday.
Nicole Flennaugh led a balanced Cal State LA scoring attack with 16 points, leading four Golden Eagles in double figures.
Lily Buggs had 14 points and six rebounds,
Jada Johnson had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and
Anai Washington had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Charity Gallegos had a team-high nine points for Chico State (12-8, 9-6 CCAA).
Iyanna Lamb and
Yesenia Smith had six points each for the Golden Eagles, while
Alyssa Fisher had five points and a team-high six assists.
Cal State LA shot 46.9 percent for the game (30-of-64) and hit 8-of-19 from 3-point range. Chico State shot just 31.3 percent (20-of-64) and was just 7-of-25 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was just 4-of-11 from the free-throw line, while Chico State was 5-of-6. Cal State LA had a 42-35 rebounding edge and committed 18 turnovers to 16 for the Wildcats.
Cal State LA jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead, only to see Chico State rally back and lead by as many as three points. Cal State LA tied it at 18-18 on a layup by Washington and took the lead for good on a free throw by
Yesenia Smith that made it 19-18 after one quarter.
Cal State LA scored the first six points of the second quarter on four straight points and a jumper by Buggs that made it 25-18. That was part of a 16-3 run to open the period. A 3-pointer by
Yesenia Smith gave the Golden Eagles a 38-23 lead and an offensive rebound basket by Johnson made it 40-23 at halftime.
Another offensive rebound basket by Johnson gave the Golden Eagles a 55-35 lead late in the third period and a 3-pointer by Lamb gave the Golden Eagles a 59-40 edge heading into the final period.
Fisher and Buggs opened the fourth quarter with 3-pointers and
Yesenia Smith followed with a layup following a Washington to give the Golden Eagles their largest lead, 67-40, with seven minutes to go.
Cal State LA will play its final home game of the season on Saturday against Stanislaus State at 1 p.m. It will be Senior Day and the Golden Eagles will honor their one senior,
Alyssa Fisher, in pregame ceremonies.
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