CS Northridge Blows Lead, Game, 61-57

With scoring leader Keith Gibbs sidelined by an ankle sprain for the last 7 1/2 minutes, Washington outscored Cal State Northridge, 19-8, to hand the Matadors a 61-57 loss Monday at Edmundson Pavilion.

When Gibbs left the game, Northridge was ahead, 49-42. In his absence, the Matadors (8-15) threw the game away.

With 1:25 remaining, point guard Andre Chevalier tried to feed Percy Fisher in the low post. As Chevalier passed, Fisher rotated to the other side of the court.

On Northridge’s next possession, Chevalier’s pass to James Morris rolled out of bounds as Morris ran in the opposite direction.

Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy kicked a chair over. “We had incredible bad timing,” he said.

Following a Washington free throw, the Matadors scored with 23 seconds to go on Chevalier’s drive.

Washington’s James French missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity three seconds later, and Fisher’s basket with 11 seconds remaining drew Northridge within 59-57.

But Mark Pope hit two free throws with six seconds left to sew it up for Washington (10-10), which ended a four-game losing streak.

“This is the most disappointing loss of the year,” Gibbs said. “A win here would have meant a lot to our program.”

Chevalier, who missed his first 11 shots and scored only six points, also took the loss hard.

“When Keith went out I thought I had to take over,” Chevalier said. “But I couldn’t get my shots to fall.”