Navin Sunjay Krishnan (@NavinKthespear) – Women’s Basketball Beat Reporter
San Jose State women’s basketball (1-2, 0-0 MW) survived against CSU Northridge (0-5, 0-0 WCC) 48-42 on the road Saturday at Premier America Credit Union
Both SJSU and CSUN looked to collect its first regular season wins. In addition, SJSU head coach April Phillips was looking for her first win as a Div. I head coach.
SJSU looked to establish its fastbreak early by getting deflections, forcing offensive fouls and converting turnovers.
The Matadors tried to slow down the pace and establish their grinding, half-court-paced game to complement their size advantage.
SJSU women’s basketball moved the ball around for a couple of early 3-pointers.
The red-and-silver outrebounded the blue-and-gold on the glass. CSUN pounded the ball in the post to take a 15-9 lead in the first quarter.
CSUN tried its best to keep SJSU out of rhythm. Phillips commanded the Spartans as they chipped away at the Matadors’ lead.
The Spartans showed resilience and adaptability as they switched to a full-court press defense.
SJSU women’s basketball tallied eight steals at the half as it imposed its scrappy defense.
Senior guard Jada Holland sunk a 3-pointer at the end of the first half to make the score 21-20.
CSUN held the Spartans to 25% shooting from the field and 26.7% from three-point range in the first half.
SJSU anticipated CSUN’s game plan of grinding and going to the post by trapping and suffocating ball movement.
With 4:16 left in the third quarter, SJSU graduate guard Aarion Nichols completed a three-point play to put the Spartans up 30-26.
In the fourth quarter, SJSU built a sizable 39-30 lead. Its defense slouched as CSUN sophomore guard Macy Smith knocked down a 3-pointer to make the score 39-36.
With the Spartans up 45-40 with 58.3 seconds left in the game, they committed a crucial turnover forced by CSUN graduate guard Jordyn Jackson.
This led to a basket for the Matadors, making it a 45-42 game.
SJSU sophomore Marisa Davis-Jones nailed a clutch free throw to make it a two-possession game with 17.8 seconds left in the game.
The Spartans were able to hold on to a slight lead and close out the game with stellar defense. SJSU clinched its first regular season win in the April Phillips era.
SJSU women’s basketball will head back home to face off against Montana State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.