Northridge Hits Road and Skids Again, 106-59

Donminic Ellison probably could have scored more, but with his teammates breaking loose for easy shots and a record well within grasp, why not pass?

And so he did, for 15 assists, establishing a school record and helping Washington State breeze past Cal State Northridge, 106-59, in a nonconference basketball game Wednesday night before 3,768.

Ellison, a sophomore from Inglewood Morningside High, also had 12 points and four steals.

“It’s always fun when you’re doing good,” Ellison said.

Tavares Mack scored 21 points for Washington State, which made 60% of its shots thanks many uncontested transition baskets.

Isaac Fontaine had 18 points, David Vik scored 15 and Mark Hendrickson added 14 for the Cougars (9-5), who have won 11 in a row at home dating to last season.

Peter Micelli scored 20 points for Northridge (4-12), which has won only once in nine road games.

“We threw the ball all over the gym,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “We just threw it away. Foolishly, carelessly.”

Washington State managed to pull away early, capitalizing when Northridge missed a string of chances in the first 10 minutes.

“When things don’t go our way early like that, we can’t get our dobber down and quit like we did,” Cassidy said. “There’s no excuse for a lack of effort, and that’s what I saw.”

Washington State led, 27-11, after 10 minutes, 50-22 at halftime, and, 73-35 with 10 minutes left.

Cassidy, frustrated by his team’s lackluster play, benched all but one starter to open the second half.

“I was trying to find five guys who would play hard,” he said.

Micelli, in his fourth game since losing his starting spot, was one. But Cassidy wasn’t in the mood for silver linings.

“Those points don’t mean anything to me right now,” he groused. “Effort does. . . . Who scores 20 points tonight doesn’t mean anything when we lose by 50.”