In their first exhibition contest of the 2008-09 season, the Cal State Northridge Matadors women’s basketball team fell 81-72 to Love and Basketball Saturday afternoon at the Matadome.

The Matadors hope the way this game started isn’t a sign of things to come this year. When the teams entered the locker room at halftime, Northridge was in a 17-point hole, down 46-29.

In the second half, the Northridge offense stepped its game up, however, and was able to outscore Love and Basketball 43-35. Despite this, the Matadors had dug themselves into a hole too deep to crawl out of and weren’t able to complete the comeback before time expired.

After sitting out all of last season, junior Kayla Rutherford had a good first outing and led all scorers with 23 points. While she missed 12 of her 20 shot attempts, she was an impressive 4-of-9 from behind the three-point line. Her overall game rounded out with three boards and two assists, along with three steals.

Fellow junior Katrina Thompson was impressive also, especially on the glass. She was able to haul in 15 rebounds in the game while also adding 10 points to complete her double-double. She had three assists as well.

Love and Basketball’s Denise Woods also had a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Danielle Rainey led them squad with 20 points, 12 of them coming from the free throw line.

Three seniors also had quality games for Northridge. Tanicia Tademy led all players with nine assists in the contest, along with eight points. Whitney Ligon and Ashley Blake also chipped in with eight points apiece.

The Matadors shot 28-of-77 from the field, 36 percent.

Northridge will return to action Wednesday for its final exhibition warm-up before the regular season. They will host The Master’s College at the Matadome. Tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.