Preview: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Cal State Northridge Matadors

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team looks to build on a winning record when it hosts struggling Northern Arizona in nonconference play Thursday night at the Matadome.

The Matadors (5-4) are coming off a 66-55 home victory over San Jose State on Dec. 13, where guard Rita Nazario scored 20 points. Nazario has been a key offensive contributor, averaging 13.2 points over her last five games. Cal State Northridge has shown resilience at home this season, with notable wins over San Diego and a tight 59-57 road victory at Cal State Bakersfield earlier this month.

They face a Northern Arizona squad (2-9) seeking momentum after a season of tough losses. The Lumberjacks snapped a seven-game skid with a dominant 95-53 win over Park University on Monday. Guard Naomi White erupted for 30 points in that victory, highlighting a recent scoring surge. Over her last seven games, White is averaging 22.4 points, including a 28-point performance at Arizona and a 27-point outing against Pepperdine.

Despite White’s offensive output, Northern Arizona has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 78.2 points per game during its losing streak against Division I opponents. Their two wins have come against non-DI foes Park and Embry-Riddle.

Cal State Northridge has faced its own challenges against higher-caliber competition, falling by wide margins to UC Irvine, Idaho and California Baptist. Thursday’s matchup presents an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their play before conference schedules begin in January.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. PST. For Northern Arizona, it is the second of a two-game California road trip before visiting UC San Diego on Saturday. Cal State Northridge travels to face Pepperdine on Saturday.