Northridge Courts a Disaster

Following the lead of his Cal State Northridge team, Coach Bobby Braswell’s voice cracked as he spoke of the Matadors’ 102-86 loss to Long Island Monday night in the Fresno State Tournament.

“For the first time, we looked afraid,” he said. “We didn’t compete and that worries me. I don’t want to panic, but this team quit.”

Long Island’s Charles Jones, the nation’s leading scorer last season who matched his average with a 31-point performance, saw something besides fear in the Matadors.

“I think they were shocked at how we kept coming at them,” Jones said. “We got in their face and took advantage of all their mistakes.”

Facing a full-court press for the first time, Northridge (2-6) did not respond well, committing 25 turnovers and often struggling to get the ball into the front court.

“That’s how Long Island wants you to play,” Braswell said. “They want you to get silly and make bad decisions.”

The only time the Matadors got together was in the locker room afterward for a two-hour, players-only meeting. Braswell would not allow players to comment, but what he wanted out of the meeting was clear: “Who is the floor general on this team?”

After trailing by 16 with six minutes to play, Northridge came within 90-82 on a layup by Lucky Grundy with 2:30 left. But the Blackbirds (5-6) made 11 of 14 free throws thereafter to go over the century mark as they have in every victory.