Simmons Keeps Matadors Going

Down to Jabari Simmons and the 4-H Club, Cal State Northridge defeated a collection of former Division I players called the California All-Stars, 114-111, in a double-overtime exhibition Monday night at Northridge.

Three Matadors fouled out, adding to an already long list of players sidelined because of injury, suspension or ineligibility. Result: Northridge had no reserves during the final four minutes.

Simmons, a 6-foot-7 junior transfer, had 32 points and 11 rebounds, but senior Derrick Higgins and three freshmen--Carloes Harper, Carl Holmes and Brian Heinle--all made key contributions during the second overtime. Higgins, a forward, scored eight of his 26 points in the final two minutes.

“All our point guards fouled out and we told Derrick he had to step up and take control,” Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell said.

Greg Minor, a transfer from South Plains (Texas) College who played at Canyon High, scored 27 points.

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Six players on the Matadors’ preseason roster did not play.

Kevin Taylor, a 6-7 senior forward-center, has had a recurring problem with an ankle for several weeks. He re-sprained it during practice Sunday and is day-to-day.

Trenton Cross is serving the second phase of a suspension. The senior point guard was held out of the first week of practice and will not play in next week’s exhibition against The Son’s Blue Angels.

Mike O’Quinn, a transfer from Loyola Marymount, was reinstated last week following a two-week suspension but did not play. Forward Brian Hagens, who transferred from New Orleans last spring, will not be eligible until after the fall semester in late December.

Freshman Jermar Welch, a forward from Moreno Valley, is academically ineligible and freshman point guard Marcus Carr of Palmdale is recovering from knee surgery.

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Northridge’s opponent was one of two California All-Star teams put together by brothers Dana and David Pump that play 15 games in less than three weeks against Division I teams. Many of the players hope to play professionally overseas.

“These games give them a chance to compete and to be seen,” Coach John Dunn said. “Maybe a college coach will pass on a good word to somebody and a job will come along.”

Brooklyn McLinn, who made 131 three-point baskets in a Northridge career that ended in 1994, scored 17 points before fouling out, making four of five three-point shots.