Miami University of Ohio had a game plan, but were hit in the mouth so quickly they could never apply their strategy.

Before the RedHawks could blink, they were down 11-0 to Cal State Northridge at the Matadome.

The RedHawks never recovered, losing 68-50 Sunday afternoon. The Matadors (2-6) had five players in double-figures.

Center Jasmine Erving, with her 13 points, and forward Analee Viena-Lota, with her 10 points, applied some of the blows against the RedHawks.

“I was mentally focused and wanted a victory before the holiday break,” Viena-Lota said.
However, the tone was set quickly by team captain Katrina Thompson.

“I thought the energy was led by Thompson. She tried to get the group going, and the rest of the team saw that,” CSUN head coach Staci Schulz said.

Thompson led the way on both the offensive and defensive sides. She had 14 points, six rebounds, seven assists and seven steals.

Point guard Amanda Thomson imitated Thompson’s intensity on the defensive side. She helped shut down the RedHawks’ best player, guard Courtney Osborn, who averages 20.7 point per game and shoots 40.1 percent from the field.

However, this game Osborn was held to 15 points and only shot 6-of-17 from the field. “She had the assignment for Osborn and did a great job. She had 15 points, but only had one 3-pointer. We took away their game and played ours,” Schulz said.

Not only was Osborn shut down, but the entire RedHawks offense was locked up for the game. They shot 31.3 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from the 3-point line.

So, Northridge scored a knock-out before the holiday break. However, will the Matadors keep this energy up as they head into Big West Conference play, which starts in a couple of weeks?

The Matadors will return to the hardwood against South Dakota, Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the Matadome. Tip is planned for 7 p.m.