Northridge Wins Before 75 in Chicago

After eight losses in noisy, inhospitable arenas, Cal State Northridge won its first road game of the season, defeating Northeastern Illinois, 109-82, Monday in front of a crowd of only 75 in the Northeastern’s P.E. gym.

Northeastern (1-13), playing Division I basketball for the first time, is an urban school fighting established colleges and professional teams for crowd support.

Northridge (4-9) had its largest margin of victory (27 points) and tied its season high for points.

Kyle Kerlegan scored 21 points to lead Northridge, which found its shooting touch. The Matadors hit a season-high 57.1% from the field--including 64.2% from three-point range. The Matadors also re-established their fast break, scoring 16 points on layups and 10 on dunks.

Northridge did not face Northeastern’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder, Minson Rubin, who was ruled academically ineligible earlier in the day.

Northridge could do no wrong in the first half, rolling to a 55-30 lead. The 55 points marked the Matadors’ most productive first half this season.