CSUN Fails to Keep Pace With Panthers, Loses 90-71

Cal State Northridge never recovered from a 22-3 run by Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Monday night at the Mecca.

The Panthers’ knockout punch left Northridge trailing 36-18 at halftime en route to a 90-71 loss.

In a 10-minute stretch before intermission, the Matadors missed 17 of 18 shots and turned the ball over seven times.

Three of the missed shots were blocked, two were easy follow shots, two others were layups and one was a missed dunk.

“When we see a run like that happening, we have to get composed and make sure we get a score,” Northridge point guard Andre Chevalier said.

The CSUN turnovers were equally varied. Two were for traveling, one was for stepping out of bounds and two passes were thrown directly to gold-shirted Milwaukee players.

Northridge (6-14) shot just 26% in the first half and committed 12 turnovers, primarily against the Panthers’ 2-2-1 press.

“They are very quick and athletic too,” Chevalier said. “You couldn’t throw over the top because they jump so well.”

Even when the Matadors were able to move the ball safely past half court, they were tentative against the Panthers’ zone defense.

“We didn’t attack it enough,” forward Keith Gibbs said. “We settled for the outside jump shot. It hurt us in the first half because we weren’t hitting. We didn’t kick it inside and then kick it back out and keep the ball moving.”

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (12-5) led by as many as 31 points (73-42) with eight minutes left in the game.

The Matadors, who ended an eight-day road trip with a 2-1 record, shot 60% in the second half to make the score more respectable.

Gibbs hit five of seven shots in the second half and finished with a team-high 15 points. He also made eight assists, primarily from the point guard position.

The 6-foot-6 senior captain had to spell Chevalier because backup point guard James Morris suffered chest pains while warming up.

Morris was taken to Sinai Samaritan Medical Center by Northridge trainer Bill Miller. Morris was treated for a viral infection and inflammation of the sac around the heart, and released late Monday.

“I don’t know if it (concern over Morris’ illness) had an effect on how we played,” Gibbs said. “James told us before he left to play hard. He got us inspired. He’s a tough guy and has always been an inspiration for us.”

Morris’ absence was the latest in a series the Matadors have had to deal with in the last two weeks.

Morris was recently away from the team for a week, including one game, following the death of his brother.

Then, guard David Swanson chose to miss three road games, citing lack of playing time and a desire not to miss the first two days of the spring semester.

Finally, Gibbs missed the second game of the trip to be at his grandfather’s funeral.

“With James going to the hospital, we were a little preoccupied,” CSUN Coach Pete Cassidy said. “Not to take anything away from Milwaukee. They shot well. They are very athletic and very difficult for us to match up with.”

Marc Mitchell led the Panthers with 19 points.