Matadors Rally Just in Time

The conditions were perfect for a letdown.

Cal State Northridge was facing the last-place women’s basketball team in the Big Sky Conference, a team the Matadors had never lost to in seven meetings.

And for slightly more than a half, it appeared as if the unthinkable would happen.

That was before the Matadors started a remarkable 46-14 run two minutes into the second half and ran away for an 83-71 victory over Eastern Washington on Saturday night at Northridge.

The prospects for the Matadors appeared bleak after Coach Frozena Jerro received a technical foul and Tracy Ford-Phelps made both free throws to give the Eagles (4-10, 0-4 in Big Sky play) a 42-26 lead with 17:50 remaining.

But the technical foul provided the spark the Matadors needed.

It got their attention--loud and clear.

On the ensuing possession for Eastern Washington, Lynda Amari stole a pass and fed LaShaunda Fowler for a layup.

That started a 25-6 run that ended with a three-point basket by Jamilah Jones with 10:01 remaining and the Matadors (10-4, 4-0) did not trail again.

It was the first time in five games the Matadors have rallied after trailing at the half. Northridge trailed, 38-24, at halftime.

With Montana’s 65-60 overtime loss to Weber State on Saturday, the victory left Northridge as the only undefeated team in the conference.

Jerro said the game provided an important lesson for the Matadors as they head for key road games at Montana and Montana State this week.

“I think we learned a few lessons tonight and this might have been a blessing in disguise,” Jerro said. “This was a good test going into a big week for us.”

Forward Neda Milic said it was the team’s intensity that sparked the rally in the second half.

Milic was particularly effective in the second half, scoring 10 of her game-high 20 points.

She had a game-high 10 rebounds and made 10 of 12 free throws, including eight of 10 in the second half.

“The team just needed a boost, and once we got it going, everybody followed,” Amari said.

The Matadors, who shot only 31.9% (nine of 29) from the field in the first half, shot 60% (15 of 25) in the second half.

Reserve ReShaunda Richardson had a career-high 10 points for Northridge.

Stacie Granger led Eastern Washington with 15 points and Allie Bailey had 14 points and nine rebounds.