San Diego Does Usual Number on Northridge

The University of San Diego seems to have Cal State Northridge’s number, but at least the Matadors got closer.

The Toreros defeated Northridge for the third consecutive time, 75-66, Wednesday night in the Matadors’ home opener.

San Diego (3-1), which won its previous two games against the Matadors by 21 and 31 points, has beaten Northridge six times in seven meetings and leads the series, 14-12.

The Matadors (1-5) rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit and got to within five before falling back.

“I was disappointed because I really thought we’d go after them hard,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “We couldn’t come far enough back. I just know we can play much better than that.”

Actually, Northridge played pretty well in spurts, taking a 10-6 lead and making its strong run in the second half.

The Matadors, who trailed, 41-30, at halftime, forced the Toreros to miss six of their first seven shots in the second half and drew to within 45-40 with 15 minutes 5 seconds to play.

With point guard Andre Chevalier making only one of six shots (0 for four from three-point range) and scoring a season-low four points, it was a pair of reserves--guard Ryan Martin and forward Brent Lofton--who helped bring Northridge back.

Martin scored seven points, sinking three of four shots in the second half, and Lofton added 10 second-half points on five-of-six shooting.

The Toreros regained control behind senior center Brooks Barnhard and senior forward Christopher Grant, who each scored eight points in the second half, and built their margin back to 57-46 with 12 minutes left.

Northridge, which got 17 points and eight rebounds from Chris Yard and 15 points from Brooklyn McLinn, got to within 61-55 on Martin’s jump shot, but a three-point play by David Fizdale, consecutive baskets by Grant and a three-point basket by Barnhard put San Diego in charge, 71-55, with under five minutes to play.

“We got it down to five points by playing tough defense, and I think we relaxed and they stuck it to us,” McLinn said. “It seems like we came out pumped and it just wore off.”

Barnhard, who sank four of eight three-point shots, had 21 points and seven rebounds, and guard Doug Harris added 19 points, sinking five of eight three-pointers. San Diego had seven three-point baskets in the first half--four by Davis and three by Barnhard.

Northridge plays host to UC Irvine Saturday night.