Northridge Beats Idaho State, 92-80

Tom McCollum, interim coach at Cal State Northridge, risked victory to prove a point Wednesday night.

Not only did McCollum make his point, he got the victory, 92-80, over visiting Idaho State to end the Matadors’ six-game losing streak.

With starting center Todd Bowser limited to 13 minutes because of a strained right shoulder, Northridge needed backup Percy Fisher. But because Fisher missed a practice earlier in the week he was held out of the game.

Compounding matters for the Matador inside game, team rebounding leader Shelton Boykin was limited to six minutes and one rebound because of the flu. Third-string center Brian Kilian compensated with six rebounds and two blocked shots, and Bowser made the most of his minutes with 11 points and six rebounds.

Andre Chevalier had 15 points, Martin Smith 12 and David Swanson and Sean Davis 11 each for the 8-17 Matadors.

“The losing streak finally spun itself out,” said McCollum, filling in for ailing Pete Cassidy. “We said the heck with it.”