CSUN Hits New Low in 69-61 Defeat

Cal State Northridge finally met its match on the road, but the Matadors played so poorly they couldn’t take advantage of a Weber State team that was almost as inept as they.

The Wildcats shot 39.6%, committed 17 turnovers and didn’t score over a four-minute stretch in the second half, yet they were able to beat CSUN, 69-61, before 2,358 Saturday night at Dee Events Center.

Northridge committed a like number of turnovers, all but three unforced, and lost all semblance of an offense in a season-low 61 points.

Still, the Matadors had a chance to win it when Keith Gibbs’ three-point basket with 43 seconds remaining cut the Weber State lead to three, 64-61.

Unfortunately for CSUN, the Wildcats’ Jason Joe, formerly of Santa Monica High, countered with two free throws and Gibbs missed on a driving, off-balance six-foot shot on CSUN’s ensuing possession.

Weber State (3-6) sank eight free throws in the last 1:12 to end a six-game losing streak and extend its series record against Northridge to 8-0.

“It is one we could have won just like (Friday against Idaho State) was one we could have won,” CSUN Coach Pete Cassidy said. “We’re stagnating ourselves, we’re having a problem adjusting when the break is not there.”

It wasn’t there at all against the Wildcats. Not one point was scored off a fast break and CSUN managed only two layups, both on steals by Andre Chevalier. The freshman guard scored 13 points to share team-high scoring honors with senior Todd Bowser despite being weakened by the flu.

Bowser was also playing hurt after suffering a corneal abrasion Friday, but he saw clearly enough to make Northridge history with his 900th point on a free throw with 2:05 left in the first half.

“I couldn’t do it (Friday) night because I missed everything,” Bowser said of his one-for-eight shooting effort, “but I’d rather play like (Friday) night and win than lose and get the 900th point. It’s hard to take. it really is. We’re dying for a road win.”

For the first time on the road CSUN led at halftime, 31-28.

“That was very unusual,” Chevalier said. “I think we were too hyped up about that.”

Northridge increased its lead to seven at 35-28, then lost it to a 9-0 Weber State run that gave the Wildcats a 43-39 advantage.

Weber State didn’t lead by more than five until the last four minutes of the game, yet CSUN could not close the gap--and the officials didn’t help. Several calls were even worse than what one would expect on the road, including a traveling call against Bowser who was being held by Weber’s Aaron Bell.

“He gets the hell beat out of him,” Cassidy said. “I guess it is because he is so big. They figure it’s just a little foul. Some very confusing and bewildering types of things happen on the road as an independent.”

Notes

Kyle Kerlegan tried to take a charge on a dunk by the 220-pound Bell and was steamrollered. He suffered a bloody and possibly broken nose but was able to return to the game. . . . Northridge turned the ball over on its first four possessions with two bad passes, a dropped pass and a traveling violation.