ROHNERT PARK -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team ended a tough five-game string of California Collegiate Athletic Association road games with an outstanding performance on Saturday at Sonoma State.

The Golden Eagles built a 17-point first-half lead and led from start to finish in a 77-51 win over the Seawolves in the Wolves Den. Cal State LA (10-5, 7-3 CCAA) was challenged by a determined Sonoma State team that pulled to within one point in the third quarter, but the Golden Eagles enjoyed a 29-8 advantage in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Cal State LA was clicking on all cylinders in the fourth quarter, hitting 11-of-15 shots (73.3 percent), including 5-of-7 attempts from 3-point range and both free-throw tries.

The Golden Eagles, after dropping a one-point decision at Cal State San Marcos to start their five-game road swing, finished it with impressive wins at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal Poly Humboldt and Sonoma State.

Nicole Flennaugh poured in a game-high 22 points with four more successful 3-pointers in six tries and a perfect 6-of-6 performance from the free-throw line. Lily Buggs had another strong game with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists and Yesenia Smith had an impactful game as well with 12 points, two rebounds and three assists.

Cielo Gonzalez had a team-high 12 points for Sonoma State (8-8, 5-5 CCAA).

Nevaeh Asiasi had eight points, four rebounds and two assists for the Golden Eagles, while Olivia Hodges had a team-high five rebounds to go along with six points. She hit all three of her field-goal attempts. Nine players scored in the game for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA played extremely well at both ends of the court. The Golden Eagles shot 51.8 percent for the game (29-of-56) and was 9-of-17 from 3-point range. Cal State LA also hit all 10 of its free-throw tries. The Golden Eagles limited Sonoma State to just 34 percent in the game (18-of-53) and held the Seawolves to just 1-of-12 from 3-point range. The Seawolves were 14-of-16 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA had a 32-31 rebounding edge and committed 15 turnovers to 17 for the Seawolves.

The Golden Eagles got a game-opening basket from Buggs and kept the lead the entire game. A 3-pointer by Flennaugh gave the Golden Eagles a 5-0 lead and a pair of fee throws by Flennaugh gave them their first double-digit lead at 14-4. Cal State LA got a three-point play from Buggs to take a 17-6 lead late in the period and settled for a 17-8 lead after one period.

A layup by Yesenia Smith gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the half at 32-15 before the Seawolves cut the deficit to nine points, 38-29, at halftime.

The Golden Eagles saw an 11-point lead in the third quarter cut to a single point at 42-41 and 44-43, but a layup by Silivia Fonongaloa and a pair of free throws by Flennaugh allowed the Golden Eagles to take a 48-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

The final period was all Golden Eagles. Flennaugh opened the period with a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by Buggs extended the lead to 55-45 early in the period. Cal State LA still led by 10 points, 59-49, with 5:22 to go before closing the game on an 18-2 run. Buggs and Flennaugh hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Tiara Scott made a steal and basket to push the lead to 67-49. After a Sonoma State basket with 2:29 remaining, the Golden Eagles scored the final 10 points of the game.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game on Thursday against conference-leading Cal State Dominguez Hills.



Cal State LA