Northridge Falls at San Jose, 89-77

A team that hasn’t had a winning record in a decade is in no position to take any opponent for granted.

Cal State Northridge learned the hard way against San Jose State, folding in the second half of an 89-77 nonconference defeat in front of 521 on Sunday at the Event Center.

“We came in thinking it was a gimme and it turned out otherwise,” Matador guard Jason Crowe said.

Sometimes a so-called gimme lips the rim and rolls out, like so many of Northridge’s shots. The Matadors (1-2) made only 33.3%, including 24% in the last 15 minutes when a 48-41 lead evaporated into an abyss of turnovers, shoddy defense and errant shooting.

The victory was the first for Spartan Coach Phil Johnson, a former Arizona assistant who inherited a program that was 3-23 last season.

A patient offense--including several baskets that barely beat the shot clock--and an aggressive defense that forced 22 turnovers put San Jose State (1-2) in the win column.

“It’s not a matter of how many shots you take, it’s the kind of shots you take,” Johnson said.

The Spartans made 54.2% of their shots and were 19 of 31 in the second half.

Most of the damage was done inside by reserve center Will Trawick (17 points) and forwards Terrance Richmond (14) and Eric Griffin (12).

San Jose State made 17 shots from five feet or closer. A team that hit only 34% of its shots in 19-point losses to Arizona State and St. Mary’s made scoring look easy against the Matadors.

“We were going to pass the ball until the shot clock got under 10 seconds,” Trawick said. “We didn’t think they wanted to play defense for more than two or three passes.”

Northridge appeared poised to seize control early in the second half when guard Derrick Higgins made two layups and three free throws in less than three minutes to extended a 37-35 halftime lead to 48-41.

However, the Spartans answered with a nine-point run, and after Rico Harris gave Northridge its last lead at 54-52 with two free throws, the Matadors fell apart, missing eight shots in a row over a six-minute stretch.

And while Northridge became frantic, San Jose State became methodical, building a 78-63 advantage with 3:24 to play.

“We came out with a purpose in the second half, and when we led by seven we thought the game was ours,” Crowe said. “We lost our intensity and fizzled.”

The Matadors could not blame the loss on hometown officiating: They shot 48 free throws, making 28, while San Jose State made 21 of 27.

Center Brian Heinle scored 17 points for Northridge, but two three-pointers and a layup came in the last two minutes with the outcome determined.