Shorthanded Northridge Stands Tall in 92-80 Win

A six-game losing streak notwithstanding, Cal State Northridge interim coach Tom McCollum wanted to prove a point Wednesday night. That’s why he risked a much-needed win to discipline a key player.

Not only did McCollum make his point but he got the victory, 92-80, over visiting Idaho State, ending Northridge’s longest losing streak of the season.

With starting center Todd Bowser limited to 13 minutes because of a strained right shoulder, Northridge sorely needed backup Percy Fisher. But Fisher missed a practice earlier in the week so McCollum followed team policy and moved him to fourth-string behind seldom-used reserves Peter Micelli and Brian Kilian.

Compounding matters for the Matadors’ inside game, team rebounding leader Shelton Boykin was limited to six minutes and one rebound because of the flu. Kilian, who has missed five games with a lingering back injury, compensated with six rebounds and two blocked shots in a season-high 19 minutes.

“It is really nice to see Brian play that way because we know he can,” Bowser said. “Especially, defensively, you’re not going to get any blocked shots out of me.”

Despite a flash of pain every time he lifted his arm above his shoulder, Bowser made the most of his minutes with 11 points and six rebounds.

“I wasn’t going to be able to play today, but I felt pretty good in warm-ups,” said Bowser, who celebrated his 23rd birthday. “I want to play any time, not just because of my birthday. I hate DNPs (did not play) on the stat sheet. Tonight was special because a lot of people were here for me.”

Andre Chevalier (15), Martin Smith (12), David Swanson (11) and Sean Davis (11) also scored in double figures. For Davis, it was a career high.

“We were more relaxed tonight,” Davis said. “It is like it was fun again. Playing at home and the season almost over it was time to start winning games to get ready for next year and to give ourselves a decent record.”

McCollum, who earned his first win since he took over for ailing Coach Pete Cassidy Feb. 8, said: “The losing streak finally spun itself out. We said the heck with it.”

Idaho State pulled to within 82-79 with two minutes left on an alley-oop dunk by Alex Kreps, but Northridge’s David Keeter answered with a basket inside off a feed from Smith.

In the game’s final minute, Northridge (8-17) sank eight free throws to the Bengals’ one.

It was only the Matadors’ second win against a Big Sky Conference team in 10 attempts. They lost their last meeting with the 9-16 Bengals, 81-69, in Pocatello, on Dec. 28.

Idaho State’s Rodney Jackson scored 18 points before intermission, including 12 straight in a stretch early in the half, but he did not have his touch after the break. While Northridge took the lead he missed four consecutive shots and finished with just two more points.

“We were worried about him,” said Chevalier. “We had to get on him tighter and get a hand in his face.”

In addition to team scoring honors, Chevalier dealt out six assists and made six steals.

“After six losses this was great,” he said. “Everybody contributed, that is how we have to play.”

Northridge was outshot 55% to 45% in the first half, but the Matadors were able to keep pace because they committed only five turnovers--six less than their halftime average.

It looked like the beginnings of another loss when the Matadors fell behind by six in the opening minutes. But a pair of free throws and a hook shot by Bowser, along with two 12-foot baskets by Smith, put Northridge ahead for the first time, 12-10.

“We jumped out to a 10-4 lead and the kids thought it was too easy,” Idaho State Coach Herb Williams said. “We came in with a big head for whatever reason.”

Notes:

McCollum prepared to insert Fisher into the lineup with 9:22 to play, but the pair exchanged words and Fisher returned to the bench. . . . Starting swingman Keith Gibbs missed his third consecutive game following a fainting spell, but could return to action in time for Saturday’s game at Southern Utah State. . . . Martin Smith and Kirk Scott started for the first time in place of Gibbs and Boykin, respectively. . . . Bowser set the school record for free throws attempted with 463. . . . Assistant coach Wayne Fluker and graduate assistant Jerry Carrillo missed the game because of recruiting duties, leaving McCollum with only one assistant, graduate student Chris Knight.