AWC TOURNAMENT : Northridge Women Finish With a Loss

The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team finished its season without a victory against a Division I team, but the Matadors didn’t go quietly in the first round of the American West Conference tournament.

Southern Utah needed a big effort from its biggest player, center Myndee Larsen, to down Northridge, 72-54, Friday night at the Centrum.

Larsen, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, scored 20 points, including 14 in the second half to enable the Thunderbirds to finally pull away late in the game.

Down by 11 at the intermission, Northridge, behind a strong effort by center Maureen Batiste, cut Southern Utah’s margin to 36-32 with 14:38 left.

When challenged, Southern Utah simply went to Larsen, who scored six points--all on short bank shots or layups--during a 12-0 run.

“They just kept going to her,” Northridge Coach Kim Chandler. “They went with what was working for them.”

Southern Utah (16-9) plays Cal State Sacramento (7-20) tonight in the championship game. Northridge finished 1-26, its only victory coming against Division II Cal State Los Angeles.

Batiste, a junior from Long Beach, scored a career-high 21 points, making eight of 10 shots and all five of her free throws. Kelly Morris had 12 points and Lisa Vaillancourt added 10 points and seven assists.

Heidi Robins supported Larsen with 17 points for Southern Utah. Cherri Frandsen had 12 points and Tami Newton added 10.

Four Northridge starters fouled out.