SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — Cal State Northridge built an early lead and held off Cal Poly for a 77-68 women’s basketball victory Thursday night at Robert Mott Gym. The Matadors led 18-14 after one quarter and 40-34 at halftime, maintaining control throughout the second half. Vanessa McManus scored a game-high 31 points for the Mustangs in the loss. Jite Gbemuotor led Cal State Northridge with 16 points and two blocks. Cal State Northridge improved to 6-8 overall. Cal Poly fell to 3-12. The Matadors capitalized on a 16-9 offensive rebounding advantage and forced 20 turnovers. Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, combining to shoot 33 of 54.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — Vanessa McManus delivered a career-high 31 points for Cal Poly, but it was not enough to overcome a balanced Cal State Northridge attack and a decisive rebounding advantage as the Matadors secured a 77-68 victory in a Big West Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Robert Mott Gym. The game, played before an announced crowd of 374, saw the visiting Matadors (6-8, 1-1 Big West) build a steady lead through the first three quarters and withstand a late push from the Mustangs (3-12, 1-1) to snap a two-game losing streak. Cal Poly, coming off a conference win over Long Beach State, saw its record at home fall to 3-5. The most critical phase of the contest came in the third quarter. Leading 40-34 at halftime, Cal State Northridge opened the second half with a 10-3 run, fueled by interior scoring and transition opportunities. Morgan Edwards, who finished with 15 points, and Mariona Cos-Morales, who added 13, keyed the surge that stretched the lead to 50-37. The Mustangs, reliant heavily on McManus’s scoring, struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against the Matadors’ defensive pressure, managing only 14 points in the period. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Matadors’ lead had ballooned to 60-48, creating a margin that proved insurmountable for the hosts. Cal State Northridge’s control was rooted in dominance on the glass and more efficient offense. The Matadors outrebounded Cal Poly 45-33, with a staggering 16 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points. Jite Gbemuotor, a 6-foot-2 forward from Delta State, Nigeria, was pivotal in that effort, pulling down nine rebounds—six offensive—to go with her team-high 16 points and two blocks. The Matadors scored 77 points on 75 possessions, an offensive rating of 103.0, while Cal Poly managed just 68 points on 77 possessions, an offensive rating of 88.4. Despite committing 20 turnovers, which Cal Poly converted into 21 points, the Matadors compensated with superior shooting and distribution. They shot 44.6% from the field (25 of 56) compared to Cal Poly’s 41.4% (24 of 58). The Matadors also dished out 11 assists and recorded 11 steals, with Erika Aspajo of Barcelona, Spain, contributing 10 points, three assists and three steals. McManus, a 5-foot-8 guard from Staten Island, New York, was the singular bright spot for Cal Poly, playing 36 minutes and shooting 11 of 24 from the field. She scored 12 of her points in the fourth quarter as the Mustangs attempted to rally, cutting the deficit to single digits on several occasions. Charish Thompson of Sachse, Texas, supported with 15 points, but the rest of the Mustangs combined for just 22 points on 8-of-30 shooting. Cal Poly’s comeback attempts in the final period were repeatedly stymied by Northridge’s ability to answer at the free-throw line and secure key defensive stops. After a McManus 3-pointer brought Cal Poly within 70-63 with 3:43 remaining, the Matadors closed the game by making 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win. The victory improves Cal State Northridge’s road record to 3-6 and provides momentum heading into a Saturday home game against Cal State Fullerton. Cal Poly, which was projected with an 85% probability to win by National Statistical’s ELO system, faces a quick turnaround with a conference road trip to UC Davis on Saturday.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — Two Big West women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when Cal State Northridge visits Cal Poly at Mott Gym. The Matadors (5-8) enter the contest after an 88-70 road loss to UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. The Mustangs (3-11) snapped a five-game skid with a 63-49 home victory over Long Beach State the same day. Cal State Northridge will lean on guard Erika Aspajo, who scored 19 points in 27 minutes against UCSB. Her backcourt play will be pivotal for a Matadors squad that has struggled defensively, allowing 80 or more points in three of its last four losses. Cal Poly counters with forward Charish Thompson, who is coming off a season-high 20-point performance in the win over Long Beach State. Thompson has been a consistent offensive bright spot, scoring in double figures in four of her last five games. The Mustangs will need her production to offset a season-long scoring drought; they have been held under 55 points in eight of their 11 losses. Both teams have faced challenging non-conference schedules, with Cal Poly absorbing lopsided defeats to power conference opponents UCLA and California. The Matadors’ most notable win was a 66-55 victory over San Jose State on Dec. 13. Historically, conference openers provide a reset. For Cal Poly, protecting home court is essential as they embark on a stretch with five of their next seven games on the road. For Cal State Northridge, a road win would provide a crucial boost before returning home to host Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST at Robert Mott Gymnasium on the Cal Poly campus. The game will be the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 5 in Northridge.