NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- CSUN, led by Serafina Maulupe's game-high 15 points, outpaced Cal State Fullerton in the second half en route to a 58-41 victory over the Titans on Thursday night at The Matadome in Big West Conference action.
The game was the conference opener for both teams as CSUN improves to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Titans fall to 3-11 overall and 0-1 in conference.
CSUN opened the second half on an 11-0 run, including draining three 3-pointers, on its way to outscoring Cal State Fullerton 21-8 in the third quarter shooting, 50.0 percent (8-of-16) from the floor as the Matadors built a 20-point, 45-25, lead at the end of the period.
The advantage proved insurmountable for the Titans, who were led by Jordan Jackson's 12 points – the only Fullerton player to reach double figures.
Channon Fluker recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for CSUN to go along with four blocked shots and three assists. Cheyenne Allen dished a game-high six assists.
Fullerton shot a cold 27.9 percent (12-of-43) from the field and totaled just six assists.
CSUN shot 36.7 percent (22-of-60) from the field and delivered 19 assists on 22 baskets. The Matadors also shot 45.2 percent (14-of-31) from three-point range, while the Titans drained five baskets from long distance.
CSUN also held a 15-5 advantage in second-chance points.
Fullerton scored just six points in the first quarter and trailed 24-17 at the break after being held scoreless for the game's first four-plus minutes.
The Titans return to action at 5 p.m., Saturday, hosting UC Santa Barbara at Titan Gym as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton is 14-18 in Big West Conference openers…Fullerton is 6-11 in Big West openers played on the road and 1-2 against the Matadors in league openers…CSF leads the all-time series 32-21 but has lost 12 straight to the Matadors…for the first time this season, Cal State Fullerton held a team under 59 points and did not win the game…Fullerton's 41 points scored is its second lowest scoring output of the season…Mia Gallo knocked down the first two three-pointers of her career and scored a career-high six points off the bench.
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