A third of the way.

That’s how close the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team is to matching its season-opening 21-game losing streak from last season. Standing at 0-7, the Matadors haven’t quite performed as well as they thought they could at the start of the season. The team chemistry they raved about and the ‘not looking back’ attitude that they carried into the 2008-09 campaign has yet to translate into a victory.

And just as they looked to be getting on track with a strong showing in Alaska against Jackson State, the UCLA Bruins shot them back down to reality. A reality that has seen CSUN win just one of its last 36 games spanning back to the 2006-07 season. However, even after a 43-point loss to the Bruins, Head Coach Staci Schulz seems to feel somewhat content.

‘We have had a very challenging schedule again this season,’ she said. ‘We have played well in many moments, but haven’t learned to take control of the flow of the game. That’s our biggest challenge.’

Northridge will try to conquer that problem Sunday when the San Jose State Spartans visit The Matadome. The Spartans (1-4) are coming off of their first victory of the season as they squeaked by Sacramento State last Friday when senior Natalie White sank a jumper at the buzzer to give San Jose State a 49-48 win. White has been the Spartan’s backbone for the past three seasons, leading them in scoring since her sophomore year.

Sophomore Analee Viena-Lota still leads the Matadors with 8.7 points per game, despite her struggles lately. After shooting 43 percent in the first three games, she has shot just 8-of-33 in the last four. It’s difficult to win when your leading scorer is shooting 24 percent from the floor.

Like CSUN, San Jose State had its share of troubles last year, going just 3-28. And, aside from its one victory, this season has been similar to that of the Matadors. One close loss, and many not-so-close ones is what both squads have suffered. Is another lopsided game in the cards for Sunday?

Date: Sunday
Time: 2 p.m.
Where: The Matadome, Northridge
Series Record: Spartans lead 7-1
Last Meeting: Spartans 59 @ Matadors 55 (2007)

Interesting Fact: The Spartans have averaged over 60 points a game in all of their losses. They scored 49 the one time they won. Meanwhile, the Matadors have scored over 60 only once.

Matador to watch:
Jasmine Erving, center, freshman

Erving is coming off the best game a Matador has had this season. She scored 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots in Sunday’s loss at UCLA. ?She is a presence in the middle on both ends of the floor because of her long reach and – despite missing all of the preseason and playing limited minutes early in the year – the coaching staff says they are excited to see her on the court. Look for her to play more minutes down low for Northridge.

Spartan to watch:
Natalie White, guard, senior

The Spartans have been held together offensively by White for the last three years. She has been San Jose’s leading scorer since she started playing consistently in her sophomore year and has increased her points total in every year. She doesn’t shoot too efficiently from beyond the arc, although she launches many three-point attempts. Northridge should look to make her a pass-first guard, something she doesn’t do very well.

What did she say?

Staci Schulz, Matador Head Coach
On the team’s 0-7 start:

‘Of course it’s difficult. I expected to win more games and I’m not satisfied with the lack of
success. However, the team’s fight is still there and we will battle on.’