Everything Isn’t OK for CSUN, 0-2 in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State used a 23-10 run in the last nine minutes of the first half on its way to a 91-58 trouncing of Cal State Northridge before 4,950 in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday night.

Chianti Roberts had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Cowboys and sophomore reserve Chad Alexander had a career-high 18 points.

Northridge led, 16-10, eight minutes into the game and was ahead, 20-17, three minutes later when the Cowboys made their run as Alexander hit three three-point baskets.

Oklahoma State (10-4) led, 40-30, at intermission and the Matadors didn’t threaten the second half.

The last time Northridge (4-12) came closer than 10 points was at 45-37 on Tom Samson’s short jumper two minutes into the second half.

Samson, a junior, had a career-high 14 points. Teammate Damion Morbley also scored 14 points, in 29 minutes.

The Cowboys outrebounded the Matadors, 51-33, and held them to 36% shooting.

Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said his club was worn down by the more-talented Cowboys.

“I thought we played very hard for 30 of the 40 minutes,” Cassidy said. “The first half they shot 20 free throws and we shot only two and they were pressing all the time.

“I can’t fault our guys, considering what they had to go through. The second half, OSU’s superior depth took over and we were no match for them.”

It was a difficult trip for Northridge as it absorbed its two largest defeats of the year.

The Matadors were 88-53 losers to Oral Roberts in Tulsa on Monday.

However, Cassidy thought the trip would be beneficial.

“We are learning how hard it is to play at this level,” he said. “We have to realize you can’t have a letdown at any time against good Division I teams.”

Gerald Rhoden, the Matadors’ No. 2 scorer who has been bothered with an ankle injury, played 13 minutes and scored five points.

Junior Matt Andrews, a part-time starter who played in all of Northridge’s previous games, was sidelined by the flu. He didn’t suit up and was missed on the boards.

The victory was Oklahoma State’s 61st in a row at home against nonconference opponents. The Cowboys are 72-5 at home in Eddie Sutton’s six seasons as coach.