WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : CSUN Finds a Way II Win, 78-74

NORTHRIDGE — Members of the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team jumped high and clenched their fists when the buzzer sounded to end their 78-74 victory over Cal State Los Angeles, a Division II school, Wednesday night at the Matador Gym.

You would have thought the Matadors won the NCAA title or something. What they did was break a 27-game losing streak that dated to last season.

“I can’t tell you how great it felt,” said freshman guard Lisa Vaillancourt. “After 22 losses, a win to anybody is great. It’s a breakthrough no matter who it was against.”

CSUN Coach Kim Chandler, whose four-year record at the school is 12-80, said: “This was enormous. We needed this so bad.”

The Matadors (1-22) didn’t start off on the right foot. They made only 25% of their shots in the first half and trailed, 34-28, at the break.

It wasn’t until midway through the second half that Northridge picked up the pace with tougher defense and much-improved shooting (72%).

The Matadors took their first lead, 55-54, when Vaillancourt made a three-point basket with 6 minutes 31 seconds left. Vaillancourt scored 20 points, making all four of her three-pointers.

Northridge didn’t trail again although the Golden Eagles (16-9) came close to regaining the lead several times.

“In the second half you could really see that they were really hungry for a win,” Cal State L.A. Coach Marcia Murota said.

Shannon Crouse sealed the victory by making five of six free throws in the final seconds to finish with 11 points. Carrie Dormire had 17 points and Maureen Batiste added 15.