Matadors Glad to Have Saleem

For once, Edniesha Curry wasn’t the star of the show.

For once, Myesha Saleem was.

Saleem, a sophomore forward from Monrovia High, scored a career-high 20 points and had a team-high seven rebounds, and Cal State Northridge rolled over Dartmouth, 77-55, in a nonconference game before a sparse crowd Friday night at the Matadome.

Saleem, who appeared in 19 games as a freshman, returned to the Matadors this season after a one-year hiatus spent contemplating her commitment to basketball. In a game that became a rout late in the first half, Saleem, playing only 14 minutes, scored almost at will on inside shots.

Saleem had 14 points in the first half, including baskets in three consecutive possessions, as Northridge (5-2) shot 50% (18 of 36) from the field and confused the Big Green with pressure defense and precision passing.

Saleem continued to shine until the end, sinking the final basket with seven seconds to play.

“We watched the film on them and we knew we would be going to the post,” Saleem said. “We did a lot of that. We just kept looking for it and it was there.”

Coach Frozena Jerro of Northridge is happy to see Saleem back in uniform.

“What she did tonight is what she is capable of doing,” Jerro said. “She’s very smart, she knows the game and she loves to rebound.”

Curry, Big Sky Conference most valuable player last season, scored 13 points and led Northridge with four assists, three of them on passes to Saleem.

Curry didn’t mind sharing the spotlight.

“It’s always helpful when you have teammates to pick you up,” Curry said. “[Saleem] does everything she did tonight. If she didn’t get the rebounds, she kept tipping them until one of us did.”

Dartmouth (4-3) jumped ahead, 13-8, but the lead was short-lived.

Lynda Amari’s three-pointer pulled the Matadors to within two points and Saleem’s put back moments later evened the score, 13-13.

From there, Saleem gained momentum, scoring 10 of the Matadors’ next 12 points, all from close range. Saleem made seven of eight shots from the field in the first half. For the game, she was 10 of 12 shooting.

Saleem redshirted last season but didn’t have her mind on basketball. She decided to play after lengthy talks with her coach.

“I spoke with Coach Fro and Edniesha over the summer,” Saleem said. “I wasn’t really happy here before. I’m glad I did. I’m planning on sticking around.”

Curry’s basket gave Northridge a 33-21 lead and capped an 8-0 run. Neda Milic made two consecutive baskets late in the half to extend the Matadors’ lead to 39-25. Amari’s three-pointer made it 42-25 at the half.

Dartmouth was only nine of 33 shooting in the first half, including one of six from three-point range.

In the second half, Northridge steadily increased the lead. Shakira Bryant made two baskets and Amari made one during an 8-0 run. Saleem, who started both halves on the bench, gave Northridge a 64-40 lead with her first basket of the second half.

Dartmouth slowed the Matadors with a 7-0 run that included a basket by Stephanie Kinnear, a graduate of Buena High. Kinnear had four points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Saleem and Curry kept up the pressure. Curry’s three-pointer made the score 75-53 with 1:19 to play.

The victory was the fourth in five games for the Matadors and improved their home record to 3-0. Northridge plays at Illinois on Monday.