College Basketball : Poor Shooting Costs Northridge in Overtime Loss to West Texas

Guard Kristen Brinkema’s 3-point shot--like most of the Cal State Northridge efforts that preceded it--came up short in Tuesday night’s women’s basketball game at CSUN.

The missed shot with 2 seconds left in overtime enabled West Texas State to hold onto a 66-63 nonconference victory over CSUN in the Lady Matadors’ home opener.

The Lady Matadors (2-1) led most of the second half, but a late surge by West Texas State--which lost in last season’s Division II championship--ate up the Northridge lead.

“They’re supposed to be a real powerhouse Division II team but there is no reason we should have lost that game,” CSUN Coach Leslie Milke said. “We were better than that team or just as good.”

After West Texas State missed 4 shots in the last 33 seconds, the Lady Buffaloes tied the score, 58-58, on 2 free throws by sophomore Chris Cavalin with 8 seconds left.

CSUN brought the the ball downcourt but Julie Arlotto’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked by Teresa Tinner.

West Texas State led, 25-21, at the end of the first half despite shooting 26% from the floor. The Lady Matadors were worse, making just 3 of 21 first-half shots. CSUN shot just 28% in the game.

Bridgette Ealy, a 5-8 sophomore guard, scored 10 of CSUN’s first-half points on 1-of-2 shooting from the floor and 8-of-8 shooting from the free-throw line.

Cavalin led CSUN with 15 points and 11 rebounds.