NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Melissa Sweat's (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Southern Oregon) field goal with 59 seconds to go in overtime proved to be the gamewinner as Bakersfield (6-6) defeated Cal State Northridge (4-10) 74-73 Thursday night.

The 'Runners were able to get to the basket early, but CSUB missed three consecutive layups as Northridge took a 7-4 lead into the first media timeout. The Matadors' hit back to back three-pointers to spark a 11-4 to take a 20-13 lead. The 'Runners responded by scoring 13 of the next 19 points on the floor and tied twice in the final three minutes of the opening frame.

A Bernandette Fong three-point play keyed a late 7-0 spurt for Northridge and the Matadors led 37-30 at halftime. Northridge outscored Bakersfield 9-3 to begin the second half. The Roadrunners responded with a 14-2 run to get back to 48-47, with 10:27 remaining in the second half.  

After missing layups on back-to-back possessions to tie, Sweat put the 'Runners into the lead, 55-54 with a three-point play at the 5:47 mark. CSUB forced two consecutive Matadors' turnovers,and went up three on a Tyonna Outland (R-Jr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) layup. Cal State Northridge responded with a Cinnamon Lister three-pointer to tie the score going into the final media timeout of the frame.

Lister made 1-of-2 free throws to return the lead to Northridge. Sweat connected on 1-of-2 free throws to tie it up, the next time down for the 'Runners. Janae Sharpe and Outland exchanged three-pointers. At 61-61, Lister sank a baseline jumper for a 63-61 advantage.

Outland was fouled on an offensive rebound with 39.5 seconds to play. Bakersfield's leading scorer made both attempts to tie the game for the 11th time. The Matadors' worked the ball down to 10 seconds where Fong made the go-ahead field goal. CSUB called timeout and worked the ball down low where Outland found Batabe Zempare (So., Accra, Ghana, Scottsdale Chapparal HS) for a layup with .3 seconds to go to send it to overtime.

Sweat scored the first FG of OT, followed by a Lister three. An Outland three-point field goal gave CSUB a 70-68 lead. Camile Mahlknech tied at 72 with a basket before a , Sweat field made it 72-70. After a CSUB stop, the 'Runners turned it over leading to another Lister three made it 73-72 with 1:11 remaining. Sweat scored what proved to be the gamewinner 12 seconds later.

After a CSUB stop, Sweat missed a field goal, giving the Matadors a chance, but the 'Runners created a turnover, with the ball landing in Zempare's hands. She missed both free throw attempts with 2.9 to play, but Northridge couldn't advance the ball, giving CSUB the victory.

Sweat scored a season best 23 points while Outland had 22 points and a game high nine rebounds. Lister led the Matadors with 20. Bakersfield outrebounded Northridge 46-37 and forced 21 points off of 18 CSUN turnovers.

The Roadrunners begin Western Athletic Conference play Saturday at Utah Valley. Tip is set for 3 p.m. (MST).

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