College MEN : CSUN Helps Defeat Itself

The Cal State Northridge basketball team battled two opponents Friday night at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

And that was two opponents too many as the Matadors fell, 54-47, to the Toros in the California Collegiate Atheltic Assn. opener for both teams.

“Until we stop beating ourselves, we are not going to be a contender,” said an unhappy CSUN Coach Pete Cassidy, after his squad committed 18 turnovers and was whistled for 25 personal fouls.

“It’s us beating us, not us beating the other team,” Cassidy said. “I thought we had matured and learned to handle the pressure. I guess it’s a matter of working on it longer.”

With CSUN lending a helping hand, the host Toros couldn’t help but pick up their 10th victory in 14 games this season.

Just one of three from the foul line in the first half, Dominguez Hills went to the line 29 times in the final 20 minutes, making 19. Northridge shot only six free throws in the second half, making four. For the game the Matadors were seven of 11.

“We knew they were not a good shooting team from the foul line, but . . . “ Cassidy noted. But any team with enough chances is bound to hit its share.

Trailing, 33-32, with 9:07 remaining Dominguez Hills ran off six straight points to take the lead for good, 38-33.

Cal State Northridge, 8-7 overall, could get no closer than three points as the Toros took advantage of constant trips to the foul line. Dominguez Hills scored 18 of its final 24 points from the foul line, including seven straight in the last 1:12.

Kevin Burrell, a 6-7, 270-pound center, led the Toros with 16 points, 10 coming in the second half to go with his team-high nine rebounds.

Brian Edwards also scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds for the Toros.

Dominguez Hills’ co-captain Tim Watson played only 16 minutes after being ejected along with Cal State Northridge substitute Wayne Fluker for fighting at the 11:21 mark.

The Matadors, who travel to meet CCAA opponent Chapman College tonight at 7:30, picked up 11 points off the bench from Mike Lopez, and 10 from Mike Almeido and Rafael Meza. Northridge also got a game-high 10 rebounds from Larry White.