CSUN Ends 17-Game Road Losing Streak

Percy Fisher shrugged off the “potential” label that has weighed heavily on him by coming through against Northern Arizona on Wednesday night to help end Cal State Northridge’s 17-game road losing streak.

With nine seconds to play, Fisher nailed a 10-foot turnaround jump shot to send the game into overtime.

In the extra session of Northridge’s 82-73 victory, the 6-foot-7 junior from San Francisco scored six of the Matadors’ first eight points.

“He hit some shots he hasn’t hit recently and he put some free throws down,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “That was gratifying to see.”

Fisher finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, matching his season highs in both categories.

It was the first win for the Matadors (5-13) on the road since Jan. 15, 1991, and their third road win since moving to Division I last season.

“Our guys showed heart and courage pushing it to overtime and winning it in overtime,” Cassidy said. “All 10 guys contributed at one point.”

It was the seventh consecutive overtime loss for Northern Arizona (6-9), dating to 1987.

Northridge rallied from a nine-point deficit (61-52) with five minutes remaining in the game.

Andre Chevalier hit an 18-foot jump shot and Brooklyn McLinn drained a three-point basket to start the comeback.

“It didn’t look like we wanted it, but once we got close and saw we could get it, we got more enthusiastic, especially with the press,” said McLinn, who finished with 13 points.

After a steal by Brian Kilian, Keith Gibbs made two foul shots to bring Northridge within two points (61-59) with 3 minutes 14 seconds left.

Against Northridge’s press, the Lumberjacks threw the ball away again, and although Gibbs missed a reverse layup, Kilian came out of nowhere to snare the rebound and hit the follow shot to tie the score, 61-61, with 2:35 left.

“I just knew I had to go to the boards hard,” said Kilian, who finished with eight points on four-for-five shooting.

Archie Tolliver gave Northern Arizona the lead with two foul shots, but Northridge kept pace when McLinn made a pair free throws with 1:51 to go.

McLinn put Northridge ahead 15 seconds later with a steal and a layup, but Tolliver evened the score with a basket inside.

Northridge called time out to set up its next shot but Chevalier’s pass was intercepted by the Lumberjacks, who went ahead, 67-65, on two foul shots by Demetreus Robbins.

Gibbs sank one foul shot to cut the lead to one point but missed his next free throw. Robbins then increased the Lumberjack lead to two points when he hit one of two free throws with 31 seconds left.

CSUN called time out to set up its final shot and with nine seconds left, Fisher scored on the turnaround. He had missed five of his six previous shots.

The game went into overtime when Robbins’ three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

In overtime, Northridge scored five consecutive points on a jump shot and foul shot by Fisher and two free throws by Gibbs, who finished with a game-high 22 points.

Robbins scored with 1:52 left to pull Northern Arizona within three points, 73-70, but Fisher scored on a three-point play and Gibbs swished two more foul shots to sew it up.