LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — A dominant first-half performance and a game-high 20 points from Rita Nazario propelled Cal State Northridge to a 66-55 victory over San Jose State in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Matadome.

The Matadors (5-4) seized control early, outscoring the Spartans 44-31 in the opening half and never relinquishing the lead. San Jose State (1-9) struggled to find offensive rhythm against a disruptive Cal State Northridge defense, committing 19 turnovers that led to 17 points for the home team.

The game’s decisive stretch came in the first quarter. After San Jose State’s Mecca Alexander opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, Cal State Northridge responded with a 22-5 run over the next seven minutes. The Matadors’ offense was efficient and balanced during the surge, with Nazario, Kelly Tumlin and Jite Gbemuotor all connecting from beyond the arc. The Spartans, meanwhile, were plagued by turnovers and missed opportunities, allowing the Matadors to build a 22-10 lead late in the period. A late flurry from San Jose State, capped by a Maya Anderson 3-pointer, narrowed the gap to 22-17 after one, but the early hole proved insurmountable.

Cal State Northridge maintained its momentum in the second quarter, matching its first-quarter output with another 22 points. The Matadors’ defense continued to harass San Jose State, generating 10 steals in the game and converting Spartan mistakes into transition opportunities. A 3-pointer from Nazario with 7:40 remaining in the half pushed the lead to 28-18, and the advantage ballooned to as many as 14 points before settling at 44-31 at halftime.

The third quarter saw a significant defensive adjustment from both sides, with scoring becoming scarce. San Jose State managed to slow the Matadors’ attack, holding them to just nine points in the period. The Spartans chipped away at the deficit, with Anderson leading the charge. Her driving layup and subsequent free throws, followed by a 3-pointer from Allie Cummins, brought San Jose State within 53-48 heading into the final quarter, setting the stage for a potential comeback.

Any hope for the Spartans was extinguished early in the fourth. Nazario, the sophomore guard from Figueira da Foz, Portugal, delivered two crucial 3-pointers in the opening 90 seconds, part of a personal 8-0 run that stretched the lead back to 59-48. San Jose State never recovered from that counterpunch. The Spartans’ offense stalled, shooting just 4 of 15 from the field in the final period and failing to get the deficit back to single digits until the final minute.

Nazario’s 20 points led all scorers, coming on 6-of-14 shooting, including four 3-pointers. She added two steals in 32 minutes. Saray White provided valuable support for Cal State Northridge with nine points, an assist and a block. Nadia Bernard anchored the interior with eight points, seven rebounds and a block.

For San Jose State, Maya Anderson of Toronto paced the team with 13 points and seven rebounds in 36 minutes. Stella Sgro, also from Toronto, added nine points. The Spartans’ offensive struggles were encapsulated by their 31.1% shooting from the field and a season-low three assists as a team.

Cal State Northridge finished the game shooting 33.9% from the field but was bolstered by 13 made 3-pointers and a 13-for-20 performance at the free-throw line. San Jose State shot slightly better from long range at 37% but was hampered by its inability to protect the ball or generate easy baskets, scoring only 12 points in the paint.

The win moves Cal State Northridge above .500 on the season as it prepares to host Northern Arizona on Thursday. San Jose State, mired in a difficult start, will look to regroup on the road at Wyoming on Wednesday.