Northridge Momentum Continues to Build, 92-50

Not to say Southern California College is as harmless as a farm animal, but the Vanguards were quickly tamed by the Cal State Northridge 4-H Club.

Rico Harris, Brian Heinle, Derrick Higgins and Carl Holmes scored the first 16 points and the Matadors routed Southern California, 92-50, Monday night in front of 636 at Northridge.

Although it came at the expense of an overmatched NAIA opponent, the victory was landmark for Northridge (3-2). The only other time the Matadors have been over .500 since joining Division I in 1989 was after this season’s opening victory against Long Beach State.

The Matadors, who have won two in a row, have their sights set higher--winning a Division I tournament for the first time. They play in the PowerBar Invitational at Hawaii on Thursday and Friday, and in the Brigham Young tournament Dec. 11-12.

“Now that we are on a winning streak, we can prove to everybody we can win a tournament,” said Harris, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs.

No doubt the tournament foes will be far tougher than the Vanguards (2-4), who are coached by 22-year-old former UCLA guard Cameron Dollar.

Northridge burst to a 16-2 lead on two baskets by Harris in the first minute, a layup and three-point play by Heinle, a free throw by Higgins, two baskets by Holmes and two free throws by Harris.

The lead grew to 43-13 with 2:40 to play in the first half before Coach Bobby Braswell called off Matadors’ press. Southern California committed 28 turnovers and Northridge had 16 steals.

“We worked on our press, then we worked on our half-court defense,” Braswell said. “We wanted to work on some things and I think we did a good job of it.”

Nearly every Matador had an opportunity to show off his game--especially four guards.

Greg Minor made six three-point baskets, Markus Carr had 10 points and six assists, Higgins had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Jason Crowe had nine assists and four steals.

“This gave us momentum going into the tournaments,” Minor said. “It’s a game. It counts. It helps. A win’s a win.”