CSUN Clobbers Cal Lutheran : Costello Leads Women’s Basketball Team to 74-40 Win

Senior guard Lori Costello came off the bench late in the first half Tuesday night to score 11 points and lead Cal State Northridge to an easy 74-40 win over Cal Lutheran College.

Costello ended the night with a game-high 16 points. Her speed and height--she’s only 5-8--allowed her to slip past defenders and score on a number of fast breaks. By halftime CSUN led, 38-18.

In the second half, CSUN shut down Cal Lutheran’s attempt to rally. Although the Regals scored the first two field goals of the half, turnovers and strong defensive play by CSUN’s Renee Loch and Regan O’Hara kept Cal Lutheran in check. O’Hara was all over the court and ended the night with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Loch had six points, five assists and six steals.

Cal Lutheran scored its last bucket with eight minutes to play. After that, CSUN had no problem running up the score. When the Lady Matadors didn’t get the ball on a rebound, Cal Lutheran just gave it to them on a turnover. CSUN scored 19 unanswered points in those final minutes.

The victory--even by the wide margin--didn’t seem to impress Milke. All she could think about was improvement.

“We need to work on a lot of things,” Milke said after the game. “We’re still breaking down on defense when we shouldn’t be.”

CSUN also needs to improve its shooting. The Lady Matadors hit only 8 of 24 free-throw attempts. Fortunately for Milke, California Collegiate Athletic Assn. play doesn’t start until January. That means the team will get a lot more experience before going up against Chapman College and defending champion Cal Poly Pomona.

“We’re set in three or four starting positions,” Milke said. “But we’ve got the depth to have different starting lineups, depending on what team we play.”

The win improved CSUN’s record to 2-0. The Lady Matadors did lose one exhibition game--to a team from Melbourne, Australia--but it didn’t count under NCAA rules.

Cal Lutheran’s record dropped to 1-2. The Regals were led by their hottest shooter, junior forward Kim Peppi, with 14. Peppi hit 7 of 9 from the floor and led the Regals with five rebounds, five blocks and two steals.

Cal Lutheran hit 18 field goals in 55 attempts and was 4 for 10 from the line. Cal Lutheran, the smaller of the two teams, managed only 36 rebounds. CSUN pulled down 60.

The Lady Matadors play host to Chico State on Friday. Cal Lutheran will play host to Whittier College tonight at 7:30.