Chapman Loses to Northridge on Almeido’s Shot

There couldn’t have been a more appropriate ending for Cal State Northridge’s Mike Almeido Saturday night in the Hutton Sports Center at Orange.

Even Chapman Coach Kevin Wilson didn’t seem to mind though he wound up on the losing side of Almeido’s 20-foot jump shot in overtime that helped Northridge beat Chapman, 65-64.

If Wilson’s reaction seemed rather odd, there was a method to his madness. Wilson was an assistant coach when Almeido was playing at San Francisco State two years ago and though they are at different schools these days, much mutual respect remains.

“He’s the best guard in the conference,” said Wilson, whose team suffered its second straight California Collegiate Athletic Assn. defeat in as many nights. “I think he’s great, I’d love to have him back.”

Almeido went to school at Cleveland High School in the San Fernando Valley, got homesick and transferred to Northridge after the 1982-83 season.

“He’s a great guy. I have even more respect for him after playing against him,” said Almeido, a 6-foot 2-inch junior forward.

Almeido, who had 18 points, and his teammates had an advantage over the Panthers (0-2, 8-6) because they have played in five overtime games, including a four-overtime, 88-86, win over Cal Lutheran.

Saturday’s game was close, with neither team leading by more than Chapman’s six-point lead late in the first half.

After the Matadors rallied to a 33-31 halftime lead, the Panthers finally went ahead with 15:33 to play on a jump shot by guard Jerry Ross. The lead changed hands after that, until guard Mike Kelly fouled Northridge’s Dale Brandsberg with Chapman leading, 59-58, with 33 seconds left.

The 6-6 junior forward made one of two foul shots, but teammate forward Larry White rebounded. Northridge worked the ball around for a good shot, but White (18 points) was called for traveling with six seconds remaining.

Chapman couldn’t capitalize either, as Kelly missed a short jumper at the buzzer.

Northridge built what appeared a safe 63-60 lead with 29 seconds left in the overtime period. But Karl Cato made a turnaround jump shot in the lane and was fouled. Cato missed the free throw, but Kelly rebounded and made a short follow, giving Chapman a 64-63 lead.

Northridge called timeout to set up a play, which Almeido said wasn’t necessarily intended to go to him. Still, he got the the ball with 10 seconds remaining and made the game-winning shot though tightly guarded by Roger Weninger.

CS NORTHRIDGE (65)--Meza 2, Almeido 18, White 18, Bolden 2, Lopez 4, Brandsberg 6, Fluker 7, Ruetten 8.

CHAPMAN (64)--Ross 12, Kelly 6, Jones 10, Briggs 2, Weninger 4, Marusich 4, Williams 13, Cato 9, Brennan 4.

Halftime--Northridge, 33-31. Regulation--59-59.