Northridge Finishes a Bit Too Soon

The Cal State Northridge basketball team continues to show that it can play with anyone.

But not for 40 minutes.

The Matadors played well for 24 minutes Saturday, then collapsed in a 77-59 nonconference loss to Oral Roberts before 491 at Matador Gym.

Northridge, which lost to Oral Roberts by 35 points when the teams met at Tulsa last month, stayed with the Golden Eagles into the second half Saturday, trailing, 45-42, with 16 minutes to play.

Oral Roberts then made a 12-0 run, pummeling Northridge (5-17) with dunks and three-point baskets.

“I thought they picked it up early in the second half and our guys didn’t respond,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “Maybe they are bigger and stronger and better than our guys, who were playing as hard as they could and it didn’t do any good.”