Bowser Given OK, May Start Against CSLA

Cal State Northridge is expected to regain the services of center Todd Bowser tonight when the Matadors open California Collegiate Athletic Assn. play against Cal State Los Angeles at the Northridge gym.

Bowser, a 6-8, 270-pound sophomore, suffered a bruised knee in a car accident a week ago and missed Northridge’s 69-66 nonconference loss to Biola on Tuesday.

He practiced with the team Thursday, however, and afterward received medical clearance to play. Bowser is averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds a game.

“If it feels as good as it did today, I’ll definitely play,” Bowser said Thursday evening. “I made it through practice. It started bothering me toward the end, but it’s just a little painful--nothing really big.”

Coach Pete Cassidy said if Bowser is ready to play he would start.

Northridge (8-4) might be without the services of guard Jemarl Baker, a freshman who has been the team’s first reserve at guard. Baker missed the past two practices because of stomach flu. He is averaging 4.7 points and 16 minutes’ playing time.

Pat Bolden, Northridge’s leading scorer with an average of 15.2 points a game, suffered a fractured nose against Biola but will be in the lineup tonight.

Cal State Los Angeles (2-7) has lost three consecutive games. The Golden Eagles will be without starting forward Andre White, who is academically ineligible. He was averaging 8.1 points in CSLA’s first eight games.