FULLERTON, Calif. – Ashlee Guay poured in 26 points and Cinnamon Lister chipped in 16 points, as Cal State Northridge shot 49 percent for the game and raced past Cal State Fullerton, 76-54 Saturday night at Titan Gym.
Playing in their annual pink game and teaming up with the "Play4Kay" Foundation, Fullerton moves to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in Big West play. The Titans were led by senior guard Alex Thomas as she scored 14 points while Kathleen Iwuoha added nine points. Freshman Samantha Logan chipped in five points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Cal State Northridge improves to 11-13 on the year and 7-3 in the Big West behind Guay's performance. Along with Lister's 16-point performance, Camille Mahlknecht also added eight points and 14 rebounds in the win.
The Titans and Matadors each came out of the game trading baskets, but at the 12-minute media timeout Northridge held a 21-12 advantage. Over the next five minutes a 11-3 run by Fullerton tied the game up at 21 with just over eight remaining in the half.
However, the Matadors quickly answered back and a 6-0 run with under three minutes left to play in the first stanza pushed CSUN ahead 35-28. As the half came dwindling down to the end the Matadors headed into halftime leading 42-33 after shooting an impressive 45.5 percent from the field.
CSUN was able to use its height to its advantage and outscored the Titans in the paint 24-2 in the first half. Despite not having an answer in the key, the Titans only trailed by nine after 11 first-half points from Thomas.
After intermission, CSUN continued to hold its lead and gained a 15-point lead six minutes into the second half. The Matadors continued their hot shooting as 53.8 second-half percentage gave them their largest lead of 28. Northridge would finish the game outscoring the Titans 40-10 in the paint and scored 18 points off turnovers. Fullerton finished the ball game shooting 28.6 percent from the floor.
Fullerton will continue conference play next Thursday, February 13 at UC Davis before facing Hawai'i on Saturday.
Notes: Tonight's game marked the 47th meeting all-time between the two schools… the Titans are now 32-15 all-time against the Matadors and move to 14-7 at Titan Gym versus CSUN… Fullerton has only won one of the last 11 games against Northridge…The Titans also move to 13-12 in Big West play against the Matadors…CSUN has defeated Fullerton five consecutive times...the "Play 4 Kay Iniative" that is named after legendary North Carolina State coach Kay Yow helps raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.