One season after falling just one spot short of the NCAA tournament, Cal State LA’s women’s basketball team turned disappointment into the foundation of a historic championship season. 

In 2025, the Golden Eagles finished ninth in the CCAA standings, missing the NCAA tournament by a single spot. Their season ended in silence after not exceeding expectations, but that loss became the blueprint for everything that followed.

For Coach Torino Johnson, the message in the locker room was simple. “A champion shows up daily, consistently,” Johnson said. “They’re dependable, they’re reliable. When you do those things, you reap what you sow.”

That philosophy became the standard for the program’s transformation. “We were in the locker room, disappointed and heartbroken that our names weren’t called for the NCAA Tournament,” Johnson said. “The top eight teams were placed, and we finished ninth. What do we need to do better? Are we gonna pout? Or will this propel us to new heights? 

The answers to those patiently shaped the team’s intrinsic identity entering the following season over time. 

“I think what made this team special was we brought into what we knew what we could accomplish,” forward Jocelyn Dallas said. “Everyone understood what it would take to get there, and everyone did their part.”  

That belief translated consistently in practices, preparation and accountability. 

“Our determination to make each other better every day helped us tremendously,” guard Gabriella Rones said. “We were always competing in practice, and that helped us grow as players.”

For incoming transfer guard Ariyah Smith, trust became one of the team’s best strengths. 

“We really trusted our staff and bought into their vision,” Smith said. “It felt bigger than the game. You could tell we genuinely enjoyed being around each other off the court.”

That trust became the backbone of a team that wasn’t just talented, but connected and united both on and off the court.

“One of the best moments was our away game trip to Humboldt, where we all sat together at the hotel and got to know each other on a deeper level,” Dallas said. “That brought us closer and helped build a sisterhood.” 

That chemistry mattered most in the biggest moment on the biggest of stages.

“When we beat Cal Poly Pomona and made the NCAA tournament, we were just so locked in and together, all on the same page,” Rones said. “And we were having so much fun.” 

For Johnson, that moment represented deeper than just a win.

“It was beautiful to see,” Johnson said. “They were genuinely happy, playing with authenticity. They were diving on the floor, being physical, doing everything they needed to do.”

Just weeks prior, the Golden Eagles had lost to the same opponent on their home floor with a share of the conference championship at stake. The response followed redemption that defined their season.

“To watch them go to work after that loss was special,” Johnson said. “We as a coaching staff were coaching, but they were the ones doing the work. There wasn’t anything they weren’t willing to do.”

That mindset showed up in the team’s preparation and curiosity. 

“They kept asking questions, pushing themselves, wanting more,” Johnson said. “You could see it, they had removed the doubt from their mindset. It wasn’t ‘if’ anymore.” 

By the time the team  lifted the trophy, the results felt irreplaceable.

“Seeing them win and hold that trophy, that’s a moment I’ll always remember,” Johnson said.

But for Johnson, the evolution was never just about winning. 

“Building a championship program meant for developing student-athletes as people first,” Johnson said. “You’ve been planted in the right place at Cal State LA. You’ve been able to grow here because we nurtured you from outside forces.”

That development became prevalent off the court and into the classroom. 

Amaya Fuentes, Ariyah Smith, and Mariah Blake were among the student-athletes recognized with conference academic honors this season. Fuentes and Smith earned second-team honors, while Blake received honorable mention. 

For senior guard Nevaeh Asiasi, the achievements of her teammates carried a deeper meaning. 

“I feel like that should be the goal for everyone,” Asiasi said. “Those players are the standard. They’re working hard in every aspect of their lives, not just basketball.”

Asiasi understands what balance as a student athlete represents in the bigger picture.

“Being able to handle school, basketball, and life is what’s going to make them successful,” Asiasi said. 

The award recognizes student athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom, requiring participation in at least 90% of team games or 66% of starts, while maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or higher. 

“Greatness is not limited,” Johnson said. “Life is hard, it’s even harder if you’re stupid. You’ve got to line yourself up. You’ve got to look at those topics as the competition. How are you gonna dominate that information?”

What began as a moment turned into something remarkable. At Cal State LA, a championship culture was built on accountability, belief, and discipline. The Golden Eagles didn’t just build an historic team, they developed an ecosystem of players that are grounded in the program’s values.