Northridge Stumbles at Finish

Much more of this and Bobby Braswell is going to be the oldest 34-year-old in America.

The first-year Cal State Northridge basketball coach again watched in frustration as his team climbed to the edge of victory, then slid back to defeat.

Despite having the ball and a chance to make a tying basket in the final 15 seconds, Northridge lost, 80-73, to Ohio on Thursday night in a nonconference game before 832 at Matador Gym.

Northridge had the ball with a chance to tie in losses to Nevada Las Vegas and Loyola Marymount earlier this season.

“Sometime, somehow, we are going to have to win one of these close games,” Braswell said. “I hope it’s before the season ends. It’s a huge mountain, and we’ve got to get over it.”

Ohio (2-2) led by as many as 10 points late in the second half, but Northridge fought back to within 66-65 with 3 1/2 to play. And with 14 seconds left and Northridge down by three, Keith Higgins darted in front of Geno Ford’s inbounds pass, recorded his school-record seventh steal and called time out.

But the Matadors couldn’t even get off a potential tying shot before Trenton Cross’ pass was intercepted by Ohio’s Curtis Simmons with 10 seconds left. Simmons added a slam dunk to put the Bobcats ahead by five, then Ohio’s Corey Reed intercepted an inbounds pass and made a layup for the final margin.

“We have to learn to make plays at the end of the game,” said Northridge’s Kevin Taylor, who scored 18. “It’s all about heart. Coach can’t do anything about it. It’s all up to us.”

Gerald Rhoden had 23 points to lead the Matadors (1-4) in scoring for the third consecutive game.

The difference in the game was Ohio’s size and strength inside. The Bobcats shot 62%, with most of their baskets coming on layups or dunks.