Surging CSUN Registers 76-74 Overtime Win : College basketball: Without their top scorer, Matadors knock off Northeastern Illinois for fifth win in past six games.

The deck was stacked against Cal State Northridge on Saturday and the Matadors, who easily could have folded, were playing a hand without an ace.

Leading scorer Keith Gibbs was at his grandfather’s funeral, second-leading scorer Andre Chevalier was struggling, and Northridge was on the road, a stage for 25 losses since the Matadors moved to the Division I level last season.

Even the apparent game-winning basket was waved off because of a questionable charging call.

But the Matadors prevailed, in overtime, thanks to the increased production of David Keeter, Shelton Boykin and Brooklyn McLinn and the timely scoring of Percy Fisher.

The 76-74 triumph over Northeastern Illinois was Northridge’s second victory on the road this season and fourth in Division I play. After an 0-10 start, Northridge (6-13) has won five of its past six games.

Keeter, who started in place of Gibbs, matched his career-high with 16 points on seven-of-12 shooting.

Boykin scored a season-high 16 points and McLinn had 14 points and four assists.

“I went and told everybody to pick up the scoring,” Boykin said. “I told DK (Keeter) especially. Keith’s been averaging 20 points the last four games. We had to replace that and David came through big time.”

With 1 minute 4 seconds left in regulation, Boykin scored on a three-point play to give the Matadors a 66-64 lead. Twenty-four seconds later, Leonard Langdon tied the score.

Northridge set up for a shot, a driving layup by Chevalier with six seconds to go, but Chevalier was whistled for charging and the basket was negated.

The Matadors’ full-court press limited the Golden Eagles to a 35-foot shot at the buzzer that fell short.

In overtime, Fisher scored four of his nine points.

With 29 seconds left, the 6-foot-7 junior rebounded a miss by McLinn and hit a turnaround jump shot to give Northridge a 75-74 lead.

Boykin rebounded Langdon’s miss and sank the second of two foul shots with eight seconds to go for a 76-74 advantage.

Sid Pointer’s three-point attempt from the baseline corner--with McLinn in the way--hit the rim and was rebounded by Boykin and Fisher as time ran out.

“I was very close to him,” McLinn said. “As close as you can get without fouling him. I expected him to get it because he had just hit one. If he was going to make it, he had to make it with me in his face.”

Northeastern (5-12) was more often in the Matadors’ faces.

The Golden Eagles’ clutching, reaching, gambling defense prevented three-point shooters Keeter and McLinn from setting up.

Northridge, which averages 15 attempts from the three-point line, was held to seven attempts and just two three-point baskets, tying a season-low.

Keeter and McLinn tried to compensate by shooting off the dribble.

Ironically, that is Gibbs’ forte. In addition to leading the team in scoring with a 14.3 average, Gibbs is the Matadors’ leader in steals and blocks and is second in assists and third in rebounding.

“The players won this one for him,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said.

In Gibbs’ absence, Boykin and Fisher went beyond their usual rebounding totals with 10 and seven, respectively.

“Shelton battled,” Cassidy said. “He really battled and so did Percy.”

Northridge shot 57% in the first half, which ended in a 36-36 tie. The Matadors committed 23 turnovers, their highest total since the second game.

“It was an ugly game, but you gotta take it,” Cassidy said. “I’m pleased we were able to sustain our poise and tenacity and pull it out.”

Victor Snipes, the NCAA leader in steals with an average of 3.75 a game, made three of the Golden Eagles’ 11 steals.

On one swipe at the ball late in the game, Northridge guard James Morris suffered a cut above his right eye. He returned for the overtime in place of Chevalier, who fouled out with six seconds left in regulation.

Chevalier, who averaged 15.5 points in a recent four-game stretch, has been held to six and seven points, respectively, in the past two games.