TURLOCK -- Cal State LA's women's basketball set a pair of program records on Saturday, but that wasn't even the biggest development of the day.
The Golden Eagles extended their program-best winning streak to 14 in a row with a 93-45 win over Stanislaus State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Fitzpatrick Arena. Cal State LA (20-5, 17-3 CCAA) also set a new program record with 17 conference wins.
More importantly, though, the Golden Eagles pulled to within one game of first place with two games remaining after Cal Poly Humboldt's win over Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday. Cal State LA has never won a conference title and has never finished higher than third in the conference, but the Golden Eagles head into the final week just one game back of first-place Cal Poly Pomona and one game ahead of third-place Cal Poly Humboldt. The Golden Eagles and Broncos will conclude the regular season on Saturday in University Gym.
Kyara Walter had the best game of her Cal State LA career, pouring in a career-high 29 points and hitting 8-of-13 from 3-point range, just one shy of the program record of nine held by Nicole Flennaugh.
Nevaeh Asiasi had another big game with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, going above 20 points for the 13th time this season.
Alyssa Premo had 11 points for Stanislaus State (3-20, 2-18 CCAA).
In all, Cal State LA had five players reach double figures.
Mariah Blake had 13 points and seven rebounds,
Gabriella Rones had a season-high 12 points and was 4-of-6 from 3-point range and
Ariyah Smith had 10 points and a season-high 13 assists.
Cal State LA shot 48.1 percent for the game (37-of-77) and was an efficient 14-of-29 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Stanislaus State shot just 25.4 percent (17-of-67) and was only 3-of-21 from 3-point range. The Warriors were 8-of-13 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA had a 48-46 rebounding edge and committed only nine turnovers to 21 for Stanislaus State.
Cal State LA trailed early, 6-2, but got a 3-pointer from Walter and a layup from
Amaya Fuentes to take the lead for good. The Golden Eagles held a slim 10-8 lead after one period. Walter hit four 3-pointers and Asiasi hit one during a 19-4 run to open the second quarter that gave the Golden Eagles a 29-12 lead. The Golden Eagles settled for a 36-26 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles saw the lead cut to eight points in the opening minute of the third quarter, but went on a quick 9-0 run courtesy of a three-point play by Asiasi, a jumper by Smith, two free throws from Asiasi and jumper from Fuentes to restore order. Cal State LA led by as many as 30 points in the quarter and took a 67-39 lead into the final quarter.
Cal State LA outscored the Warriors, 26-6, in the fourth quarter and had a 57-19 advantage in the second half.
Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday.
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