COLLEGE BASKETBALL : CSUN Women Clinch a Postseason Berth

Regan O’Hara scored 15 of her team-high 19 points Saturday night in the second half to lead Cal State Northridge to a 70-60 California Collegiate Athletic Assn. victory over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at CSUN.

The win clinches a berth in the CCAA postseason tournament for CSUN.

O’Hara, a sophomore forward, was 11 of 14 from the free throw line during the last 20 minutes, as the Lady Matadors (17-5, 7-3 in the CCAA) came back from a 31-29 halftime deficit. The win ties the school record for most victories in a season by the Lady Matadors, ranked 13th nationally in this week’s NCAA Division II poll.

Northridge out-rebounded the Mustangs, 43-26. The front line of Denise Sitton (14 rebounds), Tara Flanagan (10) and O’Hara (10) dominated the boards. O’Hara also had seven assists.

Cal Poly, which falls to 13-10 and 5-4, was paced by forward Sherrie Atteberry’s 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The game was the last scheduled meeting between the teams. They could play each other in the first round of the conference tournament, which takes place at the home of the men’s conference champion. The San Luis Obispo men’s team is currently in first place.

--DAVE DESMOND

Cal Poly SLO 31 29 -- 60

Cal State Northridge 29 41 -- 70

CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO--Atteberry 22 and 10 rebounds; Jorgenson 14; Blackburn 0; Mills 0; Groo 10; Lackore 2; Geoffrion 8; Barlow 3; Madden 1.

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE--O’Hara 19 and 10 rebounds; Sitton 12 and 14 rebounds; Flanagan 14 and 10 rebounds; Loch 9; Nino 4; Costello 8; Middleton 2; Enright 2.

UC San Diego 88, Cal Lutheran 85--Cal Lutheran center Steve Cotner made his final appearance before the home fans in a nonconference game against UC San Diego.

Cotner has played in more than 90 games in four years at the school, and following Cal Lutheran’s loss to San Diego, he couldn’t find much difference between the most recent loss and any of the 20 the Kingsmen have suffered this season.

“Tonight was like the story of our season,” Cotner said. “Three points short.”

Besides ruining the final game for Cotner and fellow seniors Pat Gibbs and Jeff Wrout, the loss also spoiled the 27-point performance of freshman guard Steve Delaveaga.

Cal Lutheran was trailing, 86-83, with 18 seconds left in the game when Wrout missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw situation. Wrout then fouled San Diego’s Brian Backens and Backens made two free throws to put the game out of reach.

“Tonight’s game was indicative of how we’ve played all season long,” Cal Lutheran Coach Ed Anderson said. “Good teams win the close games and we just haven’t done that at all.”

Cal Lutheran (5-21, 2-9) finishes its season on the road with conference games next week at Southern California College and Azusa Pacific.