LOS ANGELES -- In a career filled with more 3-pointers than any other player in California Collegiate Athletic Association history,
Nicole Flennaugh's latest was a game-winner Thursday night in University Gym.
Flennaugh drilled a step-back 3-pointer with six seconds remaining to lift the Golden Eagles to a 58-57 victory over Sonoma State in University Gym. Cal State LA (13-10, 10-8 CCAA) desperately needed the win to keep pace in a tightly-packed conference race. The Golden Eagles won their third straight game and remain in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference with four games remaining.
It was an uphill battle for the Golden Eagles on Thursday against a Sonoma State team that led for the bulk of the game. The Golden Eagles trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but outscored the Seawolves, 18-7, in the final period. The late basket by Flennaugh was Cal State LA's first lead since the first quarter.
Lily Buggs had a team-high 14 points and six rebounds to lead four Golden Eagles in double figures. Flennaugh had 12 points, nine of them coming via 3-pointers. She now has 307 in her career, which leads Cal State LA and the CCAA.
Olivia Hodges had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Alli McDonald had a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Seawolves (13-12, 8-10 CCAA), while Laura Smith had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Alicia Jones had 10 points and five assists for the Golden Eagles and
Amaya Fuentes had seven points and three blocks.
Cal State LA had trouble clicking on offense and shot just 35.8 percent for the game (24-of-67) and was just 4-of-20 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles also weren't great at the free-throw line, making only 6-of-12. Sonoma State shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) and was 5-of-18 from 3-point range. The Seawolves were 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 42-38 and committed 11 turnovers to 17 for the Seawolves.
Cal State LA took an early 6-1 lead after back-to-back 3-pointers by Flennaugh, but the Seawolves caught up and took a 12-11 lead after one quarter. Sonoma State led for the entire second period and took a 30-25 halftime lead after a 3-pointer by Sienna Cherwinski with two seconds left.
A layup by Hodges off an assist by Buggs tied it at 35-35, but Sonoma State closed the period with a 15-5 run and took a 50-40 lead into the final period.
Fuentes made a big 3-pointer for the first basket of the fourth period, but an offensive rebound and basket by Ixchel Rojo pushed the lead back to 52-43.
Hodges scored on an offensive rebound and Buggs made a layup to slice the deficit to five points and a layup by Jones, free throw by Buggs and an offensive rebound basket by Hodges made it 54-52.
A jumper by Buggs tied it at 55-55 with 51 seconds to go, but McDonald scored on a layup to give the Seawolves a 57-55 lead with 23 seconds to go. Off a timeout, Flennaugh hit her big 3-pointer for the lead and Sonoma State couldn't only manage a desperation 3-pointer right before the buzzer.
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Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a game against first-place Cal State San Marcos.
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