Spirited Northridge Falls Short Against Fullerton

Cal State Northridge played on an emotional high against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night, but spirits alone could not lift the Matadors enough to contend with the Titans, who, by comparison, are titanic.

Fullerton, led by Don Leary with a season-high 21 points, downed the Matadors, 75-68, before 736 spectators in a nonconference game that was Northridge’s home opener.

Buoyed by the presence of John Flowers, a signee who lost both legs in a car accident last summer, Northridge (2-5) hung within striking distance throughout against a Fullerton squad that was taller, faster and just as quick.

“I can’t correct their size,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said of his players. “They are what they are that way. But I wouldn’t trade their hearts.”

Frustrated by Northridge’s tenacious defensive play in the early going, Fullerton (3-1) adjusted by simply going up and over the Matadors.

Leary made five of seven three-point attempts and was eight of 11 overall. And when his bombs weren’t being launched, the Titans were lofting passes for their front-line trio of Sean Williams, Bruce Bowen and Kim Kemp.

Williams, a 6-foot-10 center, tied his season high with 17 points, making six of nine field-goal attempts and five of seven free throws. Bowen, a 6-7 senior, was five for five in field-goal tries and scored 13 points to go with a game-high nine rebounds. Kemp, a 6-8 senior, added 10 points.

“Their big guys are aggressive and strong,” said Andre Chevalier, who scored a team-high 18 points for Northridge. “They have a nice touch around the basket.”

Fullerton outshot Northridge, 54.9% to 45.6%, and outrebounded the Matadors, 41-21, including 11-4 on the offensive boards. “They got inside too often,” Cassidy said, “and there was nothing we could do about it.”

Peter Micelli and Chris Yard, Northridge’s two biggest inside threats, were held to a combined 12 points--more than 10 under their season average.

“We didn’t get the ball inside real well, and when we did we couldn’t do anything with it,” Cassidy said.

Northridge’s starting trio of guards--none taller than 6-foot--combined for 42 points. James Morris had 13 and Brooklyn McLinn added 11 in support of Chevalier.

Fullerton led by as many as 12 in the second half, but the pesky Matadors would not go away.

A three-point basket by McLinn trimmed the Titans’ lead to 51-47 with 6:23 remaining, but the Matadors could not close the gap. A dunk by Williams with 6:05 to play initiated a stretch in which Fullerton scored 10 consecutive times down the floor.

Matador Notes

John Flowers was greeted by a minute-long standing ovation when he was introduced in a pregame ceremony. Flowers, who signed with the Matadors in April, lost both legs as a result of injuries he sustained in a car accident in August. Northridge presented Flowers with a letterman’s jacket and a framed No. 34 jersey. Fullerton team members gave him a Titan hat and a school sweat shirt. A halftime free-throw shooting fund-raiser earned $400 from The Times toward Flowers’ medical expenses and education. “I was happy to be here and everything that everyone has done, I really appreciate,” Flowers said. “I didn’t realize how many people care. It’s a good feeling.”