CSUN Women Lose to an Old Nemesis

Over the past few years, there have been at least three safe bets amongSouthern California sports teams:

The Lakers will beat the Clippers, the Los Angeles Kings will lose to almost anyone and Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team will beat Cal State Northridge.

True to form, Cal Poly, the No. 1-ranked team in the NCAA Division II, dismantled the 10th-rated Lady Matadors, 91-59, Saturday night at the CSUN gymnasium to remain unbeaten in California Collegiate Athletic Assn. play.

The win was the Broncos’ 19th straight over Northridge. They lead the all-time series, 20-1.

That wasn’t the only streak Cal Poly (13-3 overall and 3-0 in the CCAA) extended Saturday night, however.

The defending national champion has won eight in a row this season and 14 straight conference games dating back to last season. The Broncos have a conference record of 99-3 since Coach Darlene May took over the program in 1974. They have also won nine straight conference titles.

There was little doubt Saturday night that Cal Poly would continue to roll.

The Broncos hit their first seven shots to take a 17-4 lead less than five minutes into the game. If it was possible, things got worse--much worse.

Cal Poly hit 60% of its shots (21 for 35) in the first half and cruised to a 52-24 advantage going into intermission. The Lady Matadors (11-4 and 1-2) were 12 of 32 from the field in the first half.

Northridge Coach Leslie Milke was anything but pleased after the mauling, the Lady Matadors’ second consecutive conference loss.

“This was absolutely pathetic,” she said. “Cal Poly is just incredible. They’ve got a lot of talent. That’s why they’re No. 1 in the nation, but we didn’t play well at all.”

Cal Poly was paced by junior point guard Michelle McCoy, a transfer from UCLA. McCoy played only 23 minutes, but that was more than enough time to rip the Lady Matador defense to shreds. She was 9 of 11 from the field, had 9 assists and finished with 21 points.

McCoy was only one of four Bronco players, however, to score in double figures.

Forward Debra Larsen scored a game-high 22 points, forward Debbie Flett scored 15 and All-American center Vickie Mitchell added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Center Tara Flanagan led Northridge with 17 points, while reserve Julie Middleton scored 11 points and had nine rebounds.