This Time, Northridge Loses to Sacramento

Something about Cal State Northridge brings out the best in Cal State Sacramento. For the second time in two weeks, that was apparent Saturday night in a nonconference basketball game in Hornet Gym.

Only three times this season has Sacramento out-shot an opponent. Only three times this season has Sacramento made more than 43% of its shots.

Twice the Hornets have achieved both in a game against Northridge.

In the latest matchup between the state’s only Division I independents, Sacramento shot 45.3%--its second-best mark of the season--and beat Northridge, 63-60. It was only the second victory of the season for the Hornets.

Northridge (9-15) escaped with a seven-point victory in the first meeting between the teams, but the Matadors did themselves in during the rematch. Their problem was fairly elementary:

They found it difficult to make a shot.

Northridge shot 39% and was 0 for 13 from three-point range in the second half as Sacramento (2-22) sagged inside to slow Matador forward Chris Yard.

Yard scored a career-high 22 points, but only seven in the second half when the Hornets double- and even triple-teamed him.

Sean Colter led Sacramento with 16 points.