It has not been a successful year on the court for the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team, but they have a chance to close out 2009 with a two-game winning streak at the Matadome.

In CSUN’s previous game, they were able to snap a four-game losing streak by defeating Miami of Ohio. Now the Matadors (2-6) will try to bring that momentum against the University of South Dakota Tuesday night.

The Coyotes bring a respectable record of 4-4 to Northridge and are also riding a high after recording a huge 67-52 victory over Mount Marty, whose record is 15-2, on Dec. 20.

South Dakota is capable of playing solid defense and has a couple of players that might give the Matadors fits. The Coyotes held Mount Marty to 20 percent from downtown. Mount Marty was shooting over 41 percent from the 3-point line before that game.

Coyote Amber Hegge is considered to be the best player on the team. The forward from Crofton, Iowa is averaging 13.5 point per game, 7.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Hegge is not the only threat. They also have senior center Jasmine Mosley from Bellevue, Neb., who is coming off a career high. She put up 20 points in her last game and is averaging 7.4 points on the season.

Nevertheless, the Matadors should be able to match up with USD. However, it will be up to the Northridge women’s team to bring the energy they brought in their last outing.

The key factor for CSUN is senior forward Katrina Thompson. When she is playing her best, the Matadors are a tough team to beat. She led the way in scoring against Miami with 14 points.

Furthermore, it has been a rough year for the Matadors. They have a below-.500 record, and they have had some injuries at key times during the season.

The Matadors have started to click both on offense and on defense as they showed in their last game, and if they are able to pick up a victory over South Dakota, they could be a dangerous team once Big West play starts.

The Matadors and the Coyotes tip off at 7 p.m., and admission is free to all.