NORTHRIDGE, Calif . - The Cal State Fullerton Titans women's basketball team lost against the CSUN Matadors 79-76 in overtime on Thursday at the Premier Credit Arena as Big West play resumed.
The Titans moved to 2-11 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The Titans who led the game by 13 points (70-57) with 3:23 left in regulation fell apart to a surging CSUN over the final minutes of the game. The Titans had woes at the free throw line all night, shooting 50% (15-for-30) and went 6-for-14 down the final stretch as CSUN played the foul game to their advantage. The Matadors outscored the Titans 28-to-14 in the fourth quarter and 6-3 in overtime.
All eight of the Titans who saw playing time on the floor scored in the game. The Titans had four figures in double figures with
Aaliyah Stanton leading the way with 18 points.
Aixchel Hernandez and
Madelynn Muniz bout had 12 points and
Eva Levingston had 11 points. The Matadors meanwhile shot 73.9% (17-for-23) from the free throw line and outrebounded the Titans 61-to-39.
The Titans jumped to an early lead in the first quarter as
Aaliyah Stanton and
Eva Levingston started the scoring for the Titans.
The Titans took a 9-point lead after back-to-back treys from
Madelynn Muniz made it a 15-6 game.
The Matadors got to within four points before
Aaliyah Stanton hit a buzzer beater half-court three pointer to give the Titans a 7-point 19-12 lead after the first quarter.
The Matadors pulled to within two points midway through the second quarter at 27-25 before the Titans went on a 9-point run led by Demonie Lagway and
Aixchel Hernandez.
Emily Strachan made a steal and bucket before halftime ended to give the Titans an 11-point lead at halftime. At the halftime break, the Titans led 41-30.
The Titans pushed their lead to 16 points to start the third quarter.
Aaliyah Stanton hit a long mid-range floater to end the third quarter with the Titans up 59-45.
The Titans led by as much 17 points (67-50) with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter. The Matadors slowly began chipping away at the Titans lead but they still led by 7 points with 50 seconds left in the game at (70-63). During the final minute of play the Titans went 3-for-8 from the free throw line as CSUN immediately fouled the Titans each time coming out a timeout. Jenna Kilty hit a game-tying three pointer with 6 seconds left to tie the game at 73-73.
In overtime, the Titans continued to lead or tie to start the period. With 2:05 left in overtime, Morgan Edwards hit a three-pointer to give the Matadors their first lead of the game at 78-76. The Titans couldn't make a shot over their final two minutes to hand the Matadors their first conference win of the season.
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