Things Go From Bad to Worse for CSUN

An eight-day layoff did little to solve the problems of the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team.

If anything, the difficulties seem to be multiplying.

That was painfully obvious for the Matadors in a 67-52 loss Saturday night to Northern Arizona in a Big Sky Conference game at the Matadome.

That’s the same Northern Arizona team that hadn’t won a road game all season and had a five-game losing streak.

As if the loss of Edniesha Curry hasn’t been enough to overcome, the Matadors had to play this one without point guard Shakira Bryant.

Bryant, a freshman who was supposed to help fill Curry’s void, has been ruled academically ineligible while she awaits a grade for a class she completed during semester break.

Coach Frozena Jerro of Northridge said she is hoping Bryant will be back for the next game Thursday night against first-place Montana.

“It’s just a question of her grades,” Jerro said. “We just didn’t want to take any chances as far as her eligibility goes.”

Without Curry or Bryant, Northridge struggled with its motion offense.

“Not having Bryant out there hurt them because she knows how to break down a defense,” said Coach Meg Sanders of Northern Arizona.

The Matadors (12-8, 6-4 in conference play), who have lost three of four games since Curry’s departure and fallen to third in the conference, had one of their worst shooting performances of the season.

They made only 18 of 65 shots (27.7%), including only one of eight three-pointers.

Even the return of guard Jamilah Jones didn’t make a difference for the Matadors.

Jones, a senior who left the team for personal reasons in January, appeared rusty while playing 16 minutes in a reserve role. She missed all seven of her shots.

Bryant’s replacement at point guard, Daphne Verrept, also went scoreless in 27 minutes of play.

Three players accounted for 47 of Northridge’s 52 points.

Lynda Amari finished with 22 points, Keisha Harris 14 points and 12 rebounds and Neda Milic 11 points.

It wasn’t the type of balance on offense the Matadors usually have.

“There’s no question, it’s going to be an adjustment,” Jerro said. “This is when other people have to step up and score. We got a lot of open looks but we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Emily Anderson, a reserve guard who averages 5.5 points, had 25 points for Northern Arizona and Lindsey Foster added 21.