CSUN Women Lose Exhibition, 77-56, as 2nd-Half Latvian Bombs Find Target

The Latvian national women’s basketball team began connecting from long range in the second half of its exhibition game Saturday night against Cal State Northridge and came away with a 77-56 victory at Matador Gym.

After failing to convert on seven first-half three-point tries, the Latvian team, which trailed, 30-29, at halftime, converted five of eight from three-point range after intermission for its second victory in four days. Latvia beat UC Santa Barbara by six points on Wednesday on the first day of its 12-game, 13-day trip.

The Matadors, who did not convert a three-point shot throughout the game, missed three attempts in first half and two more in the second.

Poor free-throw shooting also plagued Northridge in the first half. The Matadors were just four of 14 (29%) from the line.

Northridge’s Christine Rumfola, a senior guard, led all scorers with 18 points and shot 50% (eight of 16) from the field. Senior forward Bridgette Ealy added 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out a game-high eight assists.

Diana Skrastina scored 17 points to lead Latvia, and guards Marika Krauze and Anete Muizniece each added 16 points.