Northridge Women Start New Year With a Hangover

Michael Abraham, starting his second season as Cal State Northridge women’s basketball coach, slowly walked out of the locker room after Tuesday night’s season-opening 65-56 loss to Long Beach State before 380 at the Pyramid, slouched back against the wall and sighed.

“I’m disappointed,” he said. “I’m very disappointed, because this was a winnable game.”

But the same old stuff that had plagued the Matadors in a 5-22 season a year ago was back.

--Too many fouls. Northridge was called for 32 fouls, Long Beach only 17. The 49ers shot 39 free throws to Northridge’s 20.

--Poor shooting. Northridge made 29.9% of its shots and sank only 10 of 20 free throws, which will turn Abraham’s hair more gray than it is.

Sarah Bell’s missed free throw on the front end of a one-and-one with the Matadors trailing, 53-52, and 6 minutes 23 seconds to play started Northridge on the downward spiral to defeat.

Northridge failed to score again until the 2:00 mark, just after Long Beach had taken a 59-52 lead that would have been even bigger had the 49ers not missed five of seven free throws in that stretch.

“We lost some of our focus with what we were doing on offense,” Abraham said. “Our post players were getting outmuscled and we were getting difficult outside shots inside of good inside shots. I think we were a little fatigued.”

Tannea Nelson, Lisa Vaillancourt, Bell and Tammie Mills--all starters--fouled out in the last five minutes, as did Maya Muzurovic.

Vaillancourt, a junior guard, had 17 points for Northridge, making five of 12 three-pointers. She also had three steals.

“She wasn’t playing real well [early in preseason practice],” Abraham said. “She wasn’t in shape and her attitude wasn’t real good, but she’s made a change and decided she really wants to be a player. I think that’s what we’re going to see from Lisa Vaillancourt the rest of the year.”

Touted freshman Jamilah Jones and Muzurovic made their debuts for Northridge. Jones made only one of eight shots, but had six steals. The 6-1 Muzurovic had six points and only three rebounds.

“They both played like freshmen,” Abraham said.

Adara Newidouski had 17 points and 15 rebounds for Long Beach (1-1). Ember Brown, a sophomore from Ventura High, added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The teams combined for 42 turnovers in the first half. Northridge forced Long Beach into 15 turnovers in the first 10 minutes.

Vaillancourt made two three-pointers during an 8-0 run and Northridge held a 19-13 lead with 7:47 to go in the half.

But that was Northridge’s high-water mark. The Matadors gave up a series of points off turnovers during a 15-2 run for the 49ers.

Three layups after Northridge turnovers in a 28-second span gave Long Beach a 28-21 lead with 3:32 to play in the half and the Matadors never caught up.