Women’s basketball nabs overtime win against LMU
Meghann Henderson, 12, guards an opponent during the game against Loyola Marymount University in Northridge, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
December 6, 2021
CSUN women’s basketball hosted Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday night. The last time these two teams played in the Matadome was in 2018, where the Lions won by 19 points. The Matadors secured an overtime 62-57 win against the Lions this time — their third win of the season.
The Matadors shot 11-29 from field goal range in the first half with scoring from CSUN guard Sydney Woodley. Woodley carried some of the load in the second quarter, where she scored eight of her 14 points. Matadors held their own on the defensive side of the ball, keeping the Lions scoreless for 4:31 of the half.
“We started off not like usual,” CSUN forward Tess Amundsen said. “I think we put the pieces together when we needed to and we finished strong, we never stopped fighting.”
The Matadors ended the first half leading 27-25 after a mid-range jump shot by Amundsen, who had a team-high 21 points.
CSUN outscored LMU in the third quarter 15-12 and went on a 9-4 run, which was topped off by a Amundsen 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down. CSUN finished the third quarter with a five-point lead.
The fourth quarter would come down to the wire as both teams had a chance to secure the win in regulation. With just over a minute left in regulation, LMU guard Se’Quoia Allmond made a layup and got fouled, giving the Lions their first lead since the second quarter. Allmond ended up missing her shot at the line.
CSUN couldn’t get anything on the other end, which forced them to foul with nine seconds left in the game. LMU forward Kimora Sykes went to the line to try and make it a three-point game. Sykes missed her free throw and CSUN recovered the ball to give themselves a chance to tie or take the lead.
The Matadors were in need of a miracle play out of the timeout and found CSUN guard Jordyn Jackson wide open in the corner. As Jackson’s shot rolled around the rim, the crowd stayed quiet for a split second.
The ball spun out, but Kayanna Spriggs was there to save the day. Spriggs recovered the ball and scored a layup before time expired. CSUN went into overtime at 49 a piece.
CSUN would jump to a five-point lead in overtime, but LMU would tie it at 54 after a three from LMU guard Zoe Jenkins. Woodley scored back-to-back baskets, giving the Matadors the lead that they held onto for the rest of overtime. Four free throws from Jackson put the final nail in the coffin and secured a 62-57 win for the Matadors.
“We knew it was going to be a struggle,” said interim head coach Carlene Mitchell. “I think we’re winning the games we’re capable of winning. Tonight we found a way to grind it out based on our experiences.”
CSUN will look to get their fourth win on Sunday as they host the University of San Diego.