Northridge Women Rout Grand Canyon for 1st Win

The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team broke a halftime tie by scoring 53 points in the second half en route to a 76-50 nonconference win over host Grand Canyon on Wednesday night.

It was the Matadors’ first victory of the season under Coach Kim Chandler, who was promoted from assistant in January after Janet Martin was forced to resign.

Janel Vega, a 5-foot-7 senior guard from Bakersfield, led Northridge (1-2) with 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and five steals.

Jody Bittner, a 5-10 senior forward, added 10 points and six rebounds.

Alana Collins, Maureen Batiste and Haily Griffith each scored eight points.

Nine players scored for Grand Canyon but none scored more than 11 points.

The Matadors were 0-9 when Chandler took over last season. Northridge lost its first 21 games last season before posting a 77-65 victory over Chapman. It was one of only two Matador victories in 26 games in 1991-92. And Northridge was 0-12 on the road.

The Matadors will take on Northern Arizona in Flagstaff on Friday night.