Whine Has Left Bitter Aftertaste for Fresno State

Everyone loves to play against a patsy. Until the patsy pulls off an upset.

Then excuses begin to fly like desperate three-point shots.

Case in point, Fresno State’s basketball team, still reeling from a 69-66 loss to Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at Selland Arena in Fresno.

The Matadors’ victory was the first over Fresno State since 1971 and the most significant in the program’s history, Coach Bobby Braswell said.

For their part, the Bulldogs and famed Coach Jerry Tarkanian were embarrassed on their floor and booed by their fans as Northridge built an 18-point second-half lead.

According to the most recent NCAA Power Index, Fresno State is ranked No. 37 nationally, Northridge No. 169.

Two days later, the upset was still the subject of consternation in Fresno.

Jack Fertig, Fresno State’s coordinator of basketball, said the Bulldogs all along were leery of their Nov. 30 matchup with the Matadors. The game was the fifth in seven days for Fresno State and took place only a day after the team’s return from the Hawaii Pacific tournament.

“But against a team like Northridge, I figured we could do it,” Fertig told the Fresno Bee. “If I had it all over to do again, I probably would have opted for a road game against a team like Xavier.”

Tarkanian lobbied in vain to have the game rescheduled. When the worst-case scenario ensued, Tarkanian chalked up his players’ dismal performance to fatigue.

To be sure, the Bulldogs were not at full strength. Perhaps players were weary and guard Courtney Alexander, the team’s leading scorer last season, was sidelined because of injury.

But the outcome had more to do with the Matadors’ motivation than Fresno State’s itinerary.

Northridge out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 53-36, and had 17 offensive rebounds.

Fresno State pulled close only with a string of three-point baskets down the stretch. But the Bulldogs’ three-point statistics--12 of 44--are more telling.

Besides, Northridge made only 28 of 65 shots.

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Braswell received several congratulatory phone calls Wednesday from friends, colleagues and former players.

“I’ve never been prouder of a group of guys,” Braswell said. “When you’re an underdog and you come in and win, it’s sweeter. That game is what we call, ‘A hugger.’ ”

By practice Thursday, however, victory over Fresno State was a taboo topic.

“I told the guys not to read too much into it,” Braswell said. “The games in March are the ones that count, not the games in December. We’re not peaking yet. We don’t want to be peaking yet.”

Northridge plays at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday night.

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The Northridge baseball team has signed freshmen right-handers Ryan Mask of Garces High and Justin Fortugno of Fountain Valley.

Mask, whose high school record is 27-7, was recruited by Arkansas, Hawaii, Fresno State and Santa Barbara. Fortugno was recruited by Rice, Iowa State and Mississippi.

Northridge also signed third baseman Bill Wright of Garces.

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Chrystal McCarthy, a 6-4 forward from El Dorado Hills High, has signed with the Northridgewomen’s basketball team.

McCarthy is the second player to sign with Northridge for next season.

Jennifer Shetters, a 6-3 forward from Wilson High in Portland, signed in November.