Matadors Let Another One Slip Away in Final Seconds

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 14 seconds, Northridge lost, 80-73, to Ohio on Thursday night in a nonconference game before a Matador Gym crowd of 832, the largest since 1,067 saw a game against Nevada Las Vegas on Jan. 12, 1995.

Northridge had the ball with a chance to tie in losses to UNLV 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 10 points late in the second half, but Northridge fought back to within 66-65 with 3 minutes 27 seconds to play. With 14 seconds to play 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 failed to get off a potential tying shot before Trenton Cross’ pass was intercepted by Ohio’s Curtis Simmons with 10 seconds left. Simmons added a dunk to put the Bobcats up by five and 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 points. “It’s all about heart. Coach can’t do anything about it. It’s all up to us.”

Gerald Rhoden, whose 23 points led the Matadors (1-4) for the third consecutive game, said these types of losses are more frustrating than last year’s frequent blowouts.

“It’s like you can taste it, but you can’t have it,” Rhoden said. “It hurts so much.”

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

Northridge was effective early against Ohio by forcing turnovers with its full-court press.