COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Northridge Women Drop 9th in a Row

The good news for the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team is that things are bound to improve.

For the time being, however, the only thing at the end of the tunnel is more tunnel.

Northridge, a second-year Division I independent with an injury list worthy of a reckless roller derby team, dropped its ninth game in as many tries this season, falling, 85-51, to Cal State Fullerton before 218 at Matador Gym on Tuesday.

Despite a solid 16-point effort from junior forward Jody Bittner, CSUN shot just 29% from the field (17 of 59) and committed 28 turnovers.

Fullerton (4-1) hit 33 of its 68 field-goal attempts (49%) as sharp-shooting guard Joey Ray led all scorers with 25 points. Freshman Kisa Hughes added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Leading, 39-29, at the half, Fullerton went on a 34-6 scoring run to start the second half, building a comfortable 73-35 advantage with 8 minutes 35 seconds to play.

“When you shoot (29%) and have 28 turnovers, it’s a death wish,” Northridge Coach Janet Martin said.

CSUN’s season has turned into a struggle largely because of injuries to fifth-year seniors Bridgette Ealy and Lisa Senette.

Ealy, last season’s most valuable player, appears lost for the season because of an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

Ealy was hurt in last month’s Wolf Pack Thanksgiving tournament in Reno, Nev. According to Martin, Ealy will likely undergo surgery on the knee after final exams on Friday.

Senette, CSUN’s most improved player last season, injured her right anterior cruciate ligament on Nov. 9. But her playing status remains uncertain because of conflicting medical diagnoses.

Center Sandi Olson (nine rebounds) and forward Christine Rumfola (eight rebounds), both recovering from the flu, totaled seven points each for Northridge and point guard Cynthia Llerenas added six assists and six steals.

The Northridge men’s and women’s basketball teams are a combined 0-15 this season.