Lofton Will Miss Last 2 Games for Northridge

Cal State Northridge’s basketball team will finish its season without forward Brent Lofton, one of its top offensive players.

When the Matadors leave for Birmingham, Ala., today, Lofton will stay behind on the advice of team doctors.

Dr. Richard Coskey, a heart specialist, administered electrocardiogram and echocardiogram tests on Lofton in Tarzana on Friday. The results of both, Lofton said, were inconclusive.

“My heart looks abnormal, but that’s not necessarily bad because an athlete’s heart usually isn’t (normal),” Lofton said. “They just don’t know exactly what’s going on.”

Lofton will be further examined next week, starting with a treadmill test on Tuesday.

“I’m done with this season,” he said. The 6-foot-5 senior is averaging 9.6 points and has provided a spark off the bench recently. In his last seven games, Lofton scored 96 points and grabbed 39 rebounds.

Lofton, experiencing upper chest pains and shortness of breath, checked into the Northridge Student Health Center on Tuesday. The results of an electrocardiogram administered that day kept him out of the Matadors’ game against Southern Utah on Thursday night.

“I’m disappointed I can’t play, but I’m glad I went in,” Lofton said. “I’d rather be alive than out there playing and have something happen.”

Northridge (7-17) plays at Alabama Birmingham on Sunday. The Matadors conclude their season at San Diego State on Thursday night.