Millersville Defense Flattens CS Northridge, 81-80

We know that elbows were flying, bodies were banging, tempers were short and the pulses of players, coaches, referees and fans alike were racing faster than FloJo down the stretch.

What we don’t know is exactly how Millersville University (Pa.) managed to sneak away Friday night with a 81-80 victory over Cal State Northridge in the CSUN gym.

Was the key play a missed 1-and-1 free-throw attempt by CSUN’s Darren Matsubara with 1:32 left? Or was it the turnover by Matador guard Derrick Gathers with 52 seconds remaining?

Perhaps it was the little 8-foot shot in the key by Millersville’s Mike Monroe with 35 seconds left that stood as the game-winning shot.

No, Northridge followers will tell you, it was an ankle tackle by Millersville guard Bob Bradfield on Todd Bowser as the CSUN center tried to put up a 3-point shot that might have won the game for the Matadors with 5 seconds to play.

Coach Pete Cassidy of Northridge contends that videotape will prove that his 280-pound center was half hogtied. No matter, the officials didn’t agree. Even after Cassidy chased one of them halfway across the gym floor in an effort to state his case after the final buzzer.

In order to clear up some of the confusion, we give you Millersville Coach John Kochan, winner of 129 games against 40 losses in his 6 years at the school. Keep in mind, this guy is supposed to be an expert.

Said Kochan: “What happened was we came down the floor four straight times with an advantage and blupped it.

“Then they had a one-and-one to win it and they blup it. Sometimes, in the end, you have to be lucky.”

In other words, he who “blups” last, loses.

And that, indeed, was Northridge.

After battling the highly regarded Marauders even for 39 minutes and 55 seconds, CSUN was left praying for Bowser’s second 3-point attempt of the season--perhaps his career.

Northridge called a timeout with 32 seconds left to set up a play, but it did not necessarily call for Bowser to take the final shot--certainly not from 3-point range.

Matsubara had the ball with three options as he came off a screen. One option was at the low post. Another was in the corner. And then there was Bowser.

“The center stepped out on me and Todd was open,” Matsubara said.

“Todd can hit that shot. The guy undercut him and took some of his strength away.”

Bowser’s shot hit the front of the rim.

Ironically, Bowser’s only other 3-point attempt of the season came in CSUN’s previous game. It was also at the buzzer.

There were two major differences, however: The first shot, against Cal Lutheran on Wednesday, went in. And CSUN had a 12-point lead when he took it.

“I’m glad he shot it,” said Kochan, a former Maryland assistant under Lefty Driesell. “There’s a difference when it’s one point and when it’s 15. When it’s one, your . . . gets tight.”

Bowser finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, but had his favorite shot--a little hook from the baseline--taken away by Millersville’s 6-foot, 11-inch Phil Nevin and 6-7 Eric Yankowy.

Nevin, a transfer from Maryland, had 11 points and 9 rebounds, but was in foul trouble early and played only 24 minutes.

Northridge (9-3), which will next play Biola at home on Tuesday, was led in scoring by Gathers, who had 19 points. Gathers was only 5 of 13 shooting, however, including 3 of 9 from 3-point range.