Northridge Goes Extra Mile, 87-78

It was the unlikeliest scenarios for a Cal State Northridge victory.

The Matadors were playing the second of back-to-back games, had been mauled by 19 points Friday by Montana, and drove three hours from Missoula on Saturday morning.

They were taking on Big Sky Conference-leading Montana State, which packed Brick Breeden Fieldhouse with 6,433 spectators. And they came in 1-10 on the road.

With a 87-78 win over the Bobcats, Northridge earned its first road win since a Jan. 15 victory at Cal State Sacramento and proved it could win a close game against the Big Sky’s upper echelon.

“To come into the best team’s home court with the biggest crowd we faced all year, after getting our tail kicked in Missoula,” Matador Coach Bobby Braswell said. “These kids really responded.”

No one responded more than Northridge guard Mike O’Quinn.

In a game that was close throughout, O’Quinn made a slashing layup to put the Matadors ahead, 73-71, with 3:18 to play, then followed two minutes later with a three-pointer to give Northridge a seven-point lead.

“It was time to make a play,” said O’Quinn, who finished with 21 points. “I’m a senior, I’m the oldest player on the team and it was time for me to step up and make a stand.”

O’Quinn got lots of help from center Jabari Simmons, who scored 23 points on seven-of-12 shooting.

Northridge (8-12, 4-6 in conference play) held Montana State (17-6, 9-3) to three of 19 on three-point shots. Guard Danny Sprinkle, who torched the Matadors with four three-pointers in Northridge’s home loss to Montana State in January, missed all six of his three-pointers.

Montana State center Nate Holmstadt led all scorers with 32 points, but had no defense for Simmons, who gave an inspired performance a night after being ejected for fighting against Montana.

Northridge forward Jeff Parris was also strong inside, making all seven of his field-goal attempts and scoring 15 points. Montana State forward Damon Ollie of North Hollywood High had 16 points and 10 rebounds.