Northridge Gets Unexpected Lift Could practice be overrated?

Ryan Martin, a senior guard on the Cal State Northridge basketball team, spent most of fall workouts rehabilitating an injured back and practiced only five times.

So guess who has scored in double figures--as a reserve, no less--in four of Northridge’s five games?

Martin scored 11 points in 20 minutes, including two key free throws with six seconds left, to help Northridge beat San Diego State, 73-68, Friday night in a nonconference game before 676 in the Northridge Gym.

Balancing Martin’s outside shooting was the inside work of Peter Micelli. The Matadors’ 6-foot-8 center scored a team-high 17 points as Northridge (2-3) won its second in a row after opening with three consecutive losses.

Robert Hill added 13 points for Northridge.

Marc Carter scored a game-high 19 points for San Diego State (3-2).