VALLEY SPORTS : CS Northridge Falls to 0-10, Losing at San Diego

Frustrations grew deeper for Cal State Northridge in its 10th consecutive loss, an 80-59 setback at the University of San Diego on Sunday night.

Unlike most of their losses, the Matadors (0-10) were out of this one at halftime when they trailed by 11 points.

Northridge’s post players were in foul trouble before most of the Sports Center crowd of 1,161 had settled into their seats and, with the exception of David Keeter, Northridge’s top players remain mired in a shooting slump.

“The balls just aren’t going down,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “We’re getting good shots. It’s very, very frustrating for the players.

“I’ve been coaching 31 years and I’ve seen teams play hard and win and teams play hard and lose some, and teams not play hard and win. But I’ve never had a team play so hard and not get a reward for their labor.”

San Diego (6-3) shot 63.3% from the field compared to Northridge’s 31.5%. Toreros Reed Watson and Kelvin Woods took advantage of Northridge’s foul-prone post players with 17 points and 11 points, respectively, and Gylan Dottin scored 15 points on a variety of slashing plays.

Although suspended CSUN center Percy Fisher averages just eight points and six rebounds per game, the Matadors lacked depth in his absence.

Fisher’s replacement, Brian Kilian, picked up two fouls in the first one minute 31 seconds of the game and had go to the bench. He was replaced by John Moses, who was whistled for three fouls in short order, leaving Northridge with forward Shelton Boykin at center and Keeter, a guard, at forward.

Frustration over the officiating compounded matters and boiled over at the 7:25 mark when Boykin was assessed a technical foul.

A pressing defense enabled Northridge to pull within five points (37-32) with 1:35 left in the first half, but San Diego answered with six consecutive points--four on steals and breakaway layups--to lead, 43-32, at intermission.

San Diego coasted in the second half while Northridge tried, in vain, to find its scoring touch.

Ryan Martin missed six of seven shots, Boykin missed eight of 10 and Keith Gibbs missed seven of 10.

Keeter led Northridge with 13 points, and James Morris scored 11 and made three steals.