CS Northridge Holds On to Stun Fresno State

Things got so quiet Tuesday night at Selland Arena you could hear a Shark’s jaw drop.

Had Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State’s colorful basketball coach, been chomping on his famed towel, the 10,220 in attendance might have heard it hit the floor too.

Instead, Tarkanian, a.k.a “Tark the Shark,” used the linen to mop his bald head in disgust.

Cal State Northridge, in a nonconference game not as close as its score, shocked Fresno State, 69-66, defeating the Bulldogs for the first time since 1971 and recording arguably the biggest upset in the program’s history.

So big, Coach Bobby Braswell’s postgame emotions bordered on tears.

“Absolutely,” Braswell said. “I am so proud of Northridge basketball and what these guys have accomplished. This is the kind of game I’ve been dreaming about for this program for the past four years. It’s going to be a great ride home tonight.”

Northridge (2-1) took a permanent lead in the first half and led, 52-34 on Andre Larry’s dunk with 10 minutes to play. The Matadors had a 10-2 run in the first half and a 9-2 run in the second half.

They also capitalized on dismal shooting by Fresno State, which was playing its fifth game in seven days. The Bulldogs were 24 of 71 from the field, including 12 of 44 on three-pointers. Fresno State made the game close only with a string of three-pointers during catch-up time.

“This is a big win for Northridge basketball,” said forward Jeff Parris, who had 11 points and led the Matadors with 11 rebounds. “Emotions were definitely running high in the locker room.”

Junior center Brian Heinle, replaced as a starter for poor defensive play, led the way with a game-high 27 points.