Drecksel Goes on Tear to Propel CSUN, 83-61

Cal State Northridge blew away Occidental College , 83-61, at Northridge on Saturday night.

Paul Drecksel scored 27 points--16 in the second half--to lead the Matadors to their sixth home win of the season.

Midway through the second half, with CSUN ahead, 45-38, Drecksel took control of the game. The 6-4 guard scored 12 of the Matadors’ next 16 points, enabling Northridge to take a 63-48 lead with just under six minutes left.

“He’s an excellent talent,” CSUN Coach Pete Cassidy said. “We’re depending on him this year and he shot well for us tonight.”

Said Drecksel: “I was up all last night studying for a final so I didn’t get any sleep. I was in space out there. The shots just went in.”

Indeed. Drecksel hit 12 of 16 shots. He also pulled down seven rebounds.

As has become almost typical of the Matadors, they did not play well in the first half. “And I’m getting tired of it,” Cassidy said. “When we get into conference, I don’t think the teams in our league will let us up off the floor. We played sloppy.”

After the opening three minutes, the Matadors fell behind, 6-1. A few minutes later, they trailed, 10-5.

CSUN finally took the lead at the 13:01 mark, 13-12, on a jumper by Alan Gindlesperger, a freshman guard from Reseda High. Gindlesperger, who saw more playing time in this game than any other of the season, played well. He finished with 10 points in 15 minutes.

With just over seven minutes left in the half, with the CSUN coaches screaming for the Matadors to put more movement in the offense, CSUN finally put together a strong run.

Pat Bolden hit from inside, then Drecksel hit two foul shots. On the defensive end, Drecksel grabbed a rebound and, while falling out of bounds, bounced the ball off Occidental’s Craig Kirkland.

CSUN was awarded the ball and Bolden quickly converted a three-point play. The Matadors led, 28-20. After the Tigers missed a shot, Drecksel then followed a shot by Matador Troy Dueker and CSUN went ahead by 10.

Dueker broke the CSUN school record for assists in a game, finishing with 12.