CSUN Collapses in 2nd Half, Loses

Cal State Northridge made progress in its quest to win a game on the road in its first Division I season, but the goal still eluded the Matadors on Friday night in an 81-69 loss to Idaho State before 3,300 at Reed Gymnasium.

For the first time, Northridge gained a second-half lead away from Matador Gymnasium, but instead of increasing it fell apart to drop to 2-7.

The Matadors collapsed after taking a 52-51 lead on Kyle Kerlegan’s three-point basket with 13 minutes 4 seconds to play. Over the next eight minutes, CSUN was outscored, 22-8.

During that span, Northridge missed six shots, turned the ball over four times, sent the Bengals to the free-throw line four times and committed an offensive foul.

The low point appeared to come with 7:02 remaining when Shelton Boykin threw a pass the length of the floor to a wide-open David Swanson, who didn’t turn around as the ball sailed out of bounds at the end line.

A pass to a teammate in the backcourt, a two-foot air ball and Boykin’s missed dunk also vied for nadir honors.

“We were right there on the cusp,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “That 22-4 tear was indeed disheartening, but we’ve done that before. We were getting only one shot, the first one available, not the best one, and guys weren’t going to the boards.”

Idaho State (3-7) outrebounded the Matadors, 43-33, and shot 49.1% from the field compared to Northridge’s 38.2%. For the season, CSUN is shooting 37.3% on the road.

“If the right people are there and they are open and in their range they have the right to take the shot,” Cassidy said.

“It’s when they force it that causes problems. They haven’t learned discretion in some cases. Kyle (Kerlegan) lacked it earlier but he’s come 1,000 miles. He knows when not to pull the trigger.

“When everyone learns that it’ll help us we’re working every day in practice to bring that to the fore.”

Kerlegan, the only starter whose game was sharp, led Northridge with 21 points, including five three-point baskets in 11 attempts.

Point guard Andre Chevalier was held to four points and committed seven turnovers.

Boykin and Gibbs managed only five rebounds between them and senior Todd Bowser had his worst shooting night of the season.

A career 54% shooter, Bowser missed his first six shots, all from close range, and was limited to three points and four rebounds.

“I don’t have an answer for that, he doesn’t have an answer for that,” Cassidy said. “It amazed him. They were gimmes.”

Added to insult, there was injury. Bowser suffered a scratched cornea when he was poked in the eye and is doubtful for tonight’s game at Weber State.

Brian Kilian replaced Bowser and asserted himself on the boards, grabbing six rebounds in the second half.

Reserve David Keeter also played well in his first game since spraining an ankle three weeks ago, finishing with 13 points and four assists in 19 minutes.

“Right now it is kicking us in the butt every time,” Keeter said of the proverbial monkey that is on the Matadors’ back. “Hopefully, we can snap out of it.”

CSUN shot 11 free throws to the Bengals’ 31. Poor shooting cost the Matadors in the early going--they missed 14 of their first 18 shots before hitting five in a row.